Fifteen-year-old Ysabelle Chua started playing competitive volleyball as a sixth grader at St. John’s Institute. At a young age, she knew that individual skills will not be enough to win championships. Teamwork is the key.
After years of playing as a member of the SJI girls’ varsity volleyball team, Chua will be wearing a different uniform next year. She has decided to explore new opportunities with NOPSSCEA defending champion Bacolod Tay Tung High School.
“It was her decision to transfer and our role as parents is to support her,” said John Dustin Chua, Ysabelle’s father.
John remembered the years of Ysabelle’s struggle as a varsity player. He had seen how his daughter trained with her teammates every day and how they juggled their practice schedule with their academics.
The tears and sweats were rewarded with medals from the NOPSSCEA, Provincial Meet, and eventually, Batang Pinoy competitions.
“It was a joy to watch Siobe (Ysabelle) getting selected to the NOPSSCEA team that competed in the provincial meet, and eventually, to the Batang Pinoy team that placed second runner-up in Puerto Princesa, Palawan,” John Dustin recalled.
As an open spiker, Ysabelle will have the chance to improve her skills with her new teammates in Tay Tung.
“We only want what is best for our daughter. We believe that Siobe will have better opportunities with her new team. We like the volleyball program of Tay Tung,” John Dustin said.
With the COVID-19 pandemic halting all sporting events this year, sports followers are looking forward to the 2021 edition of the NOPSSCEA. It will be interesting to watch Ysabelle Chua wearing the uniform of her former rivals and competing against her former SJI teammates. – NAB
