For former La Salle sparkplug Maicah Larroza, what’s most important is repaying the trust given to her when her number is called.
Standing at 5-foot-5, Maicah Larroza was known to UAAP fans as a spark plug, being one of Ramil de Jesus’ most reliable options off the La Salle bench. From helping La Salle reclaim the UAAP throne, to the rough Season 86 second round, Maicah was called on to steady the ship.
And if she’ll be drafted in the PVL a week from now, Maicah doesn’t mind having that role for her next team. After all, why shed that reputation if it’s helped the Lady Spikers’ cause?
“Everytime na ipapasok sa court, [gusto ko] masasandalan at maaasahan pag pinasok ako. Hindi yung parang magiging liability pa ako. Gusto ko ‘yung makakadepende sakin ‘yung mga kasama ko,” she told The GAME during the Draft Combine in Mandaluyong.
The PVL Rookie Draft will take place on July 8, where Maicah joins her La Salle teammates including consensus top pick Thea Gagate, national team backup Julia Coronel, and the fully healed Leila Cruz.
In her desire to be a contributor, Maicah Larroza is aware that some parts of her game still need work. As an undersized spiker, she admits: “Mas kailangan ko mag-double time sa blockings ko.”
But on the other hand, Maicah turned heads in the Combine, as she went back to being a libero during the Day 2 scrimmages. So given this, it’ll now be interesting as to what needs she’ll fill in the PVL.
“Going back to my first position [libero], hindi naman siya maging gano’n kahirap kasi kahit sa training naman ginagawa ko siya,” Maicah said of her libero comeback.
And as she awaits her fate, Maicah Larroza is just confident that she was able to show her best during the Draft Combine. Additionally, she also relished the opportunity to play with her former UAAP foes, on top of getting to know them better.
Fittingly enough, she’s also improved on an intangible trait as she turns pro: “Syempre…mas naging approachable and mas naging friendly ako sa iba para mabilis din magkaroon ng connection.”
Banner Image courtesy of the UAAP Season 86 Media Team.
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