Zam Nolasco has been pivotal in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde's run in NCAA women's volleyball this season.
The third-year middle blocker leads Benilde in scoring, placing 13th in the league at the end of the elimination round, and is this season's top blocker.
As the Lady Blazers gun for their fourth straight title, Nolasco said she still feels pressured, especially with her new role as one of the team's veterans.
"Ngayon po kasi kami na yung nag-lead sa team," Nolasco said. "So andiyan pa rin 'yung pressure and in-embrace naman namin 'yun as role din namin na mag-step up every game."
But aside from her teammates, Nolasco said she gets her confidence from head coach Onyok Getigan, who has been her coach since her high school days at the Kings Montessori School in Quezon City.
"Si Coach Onyok, parang siya 'yung nakakilala sa akin, kung ano 'yung skills ko," she said.
"And siguro during nga po every game, siya din 'yung nag-remind sa akin kung ano 'yung kulang ko or ano 'yung mali ko. Si Coach po 'yung sa akin nagtuturo kaya malaking tulong din na andyan siya."
Getigan previously lauded Nolasco who he said matured in the game already.
"Last year naman may laro na talaga siya pero kasi may ibang star players pa so hindi siya masyadong nakikita pa. Ngayon, dominating na talaga siya pagdating sa atake, sa blocking. So masasabi mo na may maturity na siya," the Benilde head coach said.
Nolasco and Benilde are back in their fourth straight finals appearance and will face Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the finals starting on Sunday.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
