Instead of on the court, Jake Pangilinan was at home in Tarlac during most of his rookie year last season to care for his father before his passing.
Driven by his father's memory and a renewed purpose, the 20-year-old middle blocker is now emerging as a vital force for Arellano University as the Chiefs make their Final Four push in the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball tournament.
"Nu’ng rookie year po ako hindi po ako nakapaglaro dahil namatay ‘yung father ko tapos ngayon lang po ako nakabalik," Pangilinan shared to GMA News Online on Wednesday.
"Umuwi po ako ng province [last season] tapos nakabalilk po ako last year semis na po pero hindi na rin po ako nakalaro dahil sa nangyari sa bahay po."
[During my rookie year, I couldn't play because my father passed and I was only able to come back now... I went home to the province and when I returned last year, it was the semis already. But I wasn't able to play because of what happened at home.]
The 6-foot-1 net anchor is turning that heartbreak into his fuel this year.
A key part of the starting lineup, Pangilinan consistently provides the help to his veterans in fellow middle blocker Anfernee Curamen, setter Adi Villados, and outside spiker Carl Berdal in their bid to make the finals for the first time since Season 93, following years only reaching the Final Four round.
And in one of their biggest games, Pangilinan made sure he gave his best.
He posted a career-high six blocks to finish with 11 points in their four-set escape of twice-to-beat Mapua University, helping the Chiefs drag the Cardinals to a sudden death showdown on Friday, where a finals ticket will be up for grabs.
But more than the game, Pangilinan shared it's his way of honoring his late father.
"Nagawa ko po ‘yung dream ko para kay Papa ko po kasi ang gusto ko po talaga ay mapanood po ako sa malalalaking liga kasi ayon po ‘yung dream niya para sa akin," he added.
"Ang gusto ko lang din po sana is this season matulungan ko ‘yung mga aalis na seniors kaya nagdo-double time po kami palagi sa training, hindi po kami nagpapahinga at nagkakaisa po kami lagi."
[I was able to achieve my dream for my Papa because what I really wanted is to be seen in a big league, that was his dream for me... What I also wanted for this season was to help the graduating seniors so we're always working double-time in training. We don't rest and we come together always.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
