At just the age of 19, Nicen Colendra already had the privilege of learning under two volleyball geniuses in Kungfu Reyes and Oliver Almadro.
For her, it's an opportunity the rising star doesn't take for granted.
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran rookie was actually a product of Reyes' volleyball program in University of Santo Tomas, joining the latter's high school squad when she was in Grade 11.
But due to a stacked UST college team, Reyes encouraged Colendra to try out at Letran under another champion coach, Almadro, which would lead to her inclusion in the Lady Knights' Season 100 lineup.
"Actually, in-endorse lang po ako ni Coach Kungfu of UST. Sinabi niya ako na mag-tryout sa Letran and ayun po. Senior high ako UST," Colendra, who sparked Letran's three-set romp of Perpetual, told GMA News Online on Saturday.
"Super nakatulong sa akin ‘yung UST kasi siyempre binuild nila ako and tinuruan nila ako ng mga basics and ‘yung mental toughness."
Colendra was a key cog in their 27-25, 25-23, 25-21 win over the Lady ALTAs, the same team that handed them one of their two losses in the first round. With the victory, the Lady Knights remained on track of getting that twice-to-beat incentive.
For her, it's a matter of just getting ready whenever she gets called by Almadro.
"Sinasabi lang ni Coach O na dapat lagi kaming ready, kaming mga nasa bench, and alamin namin ‘yung roles namin sa team," she added.
But Colendra isn't putting much weight on the pressure and is just savoring every moment to learn from Almadro, who led Ateneo de Manila University to multiple championships across men's and women's divisions.
"Grateful ako na maging under nila kasi hindi naman lahat nabibigyan ng opportunity na mapunta kay Coach O at kay Coach Kungfu," she said.
"Thankful na rin ako na na kay Coach O ako ngayon kasi ang dami kong natututunan sa kanya."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
