With Capital1 Solar Spiker Roma Mae Doromal and UP Fighting Maroon Harold Alarcon's hectic schedules as athletes, the most romantic thing can be as simple as finding time and showing up for each other.
525,600 minutes. 525,000 moments so dear. One Sports is using this season of love to celebrate all kinds beautiful relationships--romantic, platonic, and what have you--with the mini-series Match Point. Where better to start than The Heart of Volleyball?
For many couples, Valentine’s Day is a time for elaborate dates and grand gestures.
But for athletes like Harold Alarcon and Roma Mae Doromal, love is about finding time between training, games, and everything else.
With both players focusing on their careers—Harold as a key player for the UP Fighting Maroons and Roma as a promising rookie for the Capital1 Solar Spikers—the couple admits that planning dates can be tricky.
"I have training. So baka wala, baka dinner lang," Doromal shared with One Sports when asked about their Valentine’s Day plans.
Alcaron, however, remains optimistic.
"Nagpa-plan naman kami. Pero pag alam namin ‘yung schedule niya, gagawa kami ng paraan," he said.
Both being high-level athletes, Harold and Roma have developed a deep understanding of each other’s busy lifestyle.
"It’s hard to plan dates kasi nga we’re both busy," Doromal admitted. "Pero ‘yung perk is nagkakaintindihan kami. Walang conflict kasi we know na busy kami dahil sa training."
Alarcon echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that they make sure to prioritize quality time.
“Siguro naghahanap talaga kami ng time para mag-spend ng time sa isa't isa. Kasi 'yun nga, may studies pa ako tas may practices na siya, pro na. Busy din siya sa training niya and games. 'Yun lang, 'yung ginagawa talaga namin ay naghahanap kami ng time sa isa't isa so ayaw namin masanay maging distant sa isa't isa,” said Alarcon.
While grand romantic gestures are nice, the couple cherishes the simple moments they spend together.
"Kapag may free time kami, ‘yun ‘yung quality time namin," Doromal said. "Gift-giving din, kahit food lang, appreciate talaga kasi minsan we’re away."
For Harold, dates don’t have to be extravagant.
"Usually, nagmo-mall kami, minsan dinadala ko siya sa UP. Tambay-tambay lang at food trip," he shared.
Beyond their romantic relationship, the two are also each other’s biggest supporters.
In UP’s championship run in Season 87, Doromal was spotted multiple times in the venues, cheering on Alarcon.
Now, it’s the Fighting Maroon star’s turn to show his support for the Solar Spikers libero.
“Habang free pa ako, bumabawi ako sa kanya. Dahil nung off-season niya, nanonood din siya sa 'kin palagi. Give and take lang how it is to be an athlete. So kapag may bad games, nandiyan rin siya to help me, at ganun din ako sa kanya,” said Alarcon.
Alarcon’s effort has been greatly appreciated by Doromal, as she continues to try and make a difference for the Solar Spikers in their PVL All-Filipino campaign.
“Always naman niya sinasabi na babawi raw siya 'pag season ko na. Kasi nung UAAP, I have games also. So parang hindi siya nakakapunta talaga kasi nga 'yung schedule super tight,” Doromal shared.
“Now na free siya, mine-make sure na may time to go. And okay din kasi we understand how it is to be an athlete. So kapag may bad games, nandiyan rin siya to help me and ganun din ako sa kanya,” she added.
For Harold and Roma, love isn’t just about celebrating on Valentine’s Day—it’s about making time for each other despite their demanding careers.
Whether it’s a quick dinner, a simple mall date, or just showing up to support each other’s games, their relationship is built on understanding, effort, and the little things that matter most.
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