USJR’s Simbajon knows how to get the job done
By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:19:00 05/08/2008
MANILA, Philippines—On the court of the Shakey’s V-League, Michelle Simbajon rushes to the net and tosses the volleyball to set a teammate up for a finishing kill.
Thus far, that has been the trademark move of the University of San Jose-Recoletos skipper from Cebu City, on whose cat-quick reflexes the team kicks off its offense.
Make no mistake about it, though. Simbajon also knows how to finish off what she starts, even outside the court. And quickly at that.
While some collegiate student-athletes opt to maximize their five playing years, Simbajon, a consistent dean’s lister, is on target to finish her four-year course in Business Administration in three-and-a-half years. Never mind if an early graduation could render her ineligible for varsity action.
“I want to finish school early and probably get a master’s degree in Manila,” the former RP Youth team libero told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).
“It’s not always about volleyball,” added Simbajon, who played for the national team in the Asian Volleyball Championships hosted by Cebu in 2005. “Earning a degree is also as important.”
Judging by the reception she has been getting in the V-League’s fifth season, where her brand of play and bubbly attitude has made her one of the players to watch, volleyball is about to lose a potential ambassador.
The 5-foot-6 Simbajon, who played only her second V-League match in a four-set loss to Lyceum of the Philippines Wednesday, is emerging as another crowd favorite.
After the game, fans crowd the 19-year-old Simbajon and pull out their notebooks to ask for an autograph, while young men pull out their cellphone cameras to take snapshots with her.
Overwhelming
“It’s really overwhelming that I get appreciated here,” Simbajon, whose older brother, Michael, is a former Nestea Beach Volleyball champion, added.
Michelle took up the sport when she was 12.
More than the attention, though, Simbajon believes the exposure provided by the V-League will go a long way in strengthening their team.
“It’s a good experience. It’s a good way to determine our strengths and weaknesses,” the USJR skipper said of their stint in the tournament. “In Cebu, we are always the favored team, we are always the target of other teams.”
With Simbajon in the fold, USJR bagged three straight titles in the Cesafi, Cebu’s version of the NCAA or UAAP. It was mentored by former RP team star Grace Antigua.
But it wasn’t only until last month that Simbajon has been given the responsibility of captaining the Lady Jaguars. Simbajon said she was reluctant in accepting the role, but nevertheless welcomed the challenge.
Like her schooling, it’s a task she hopes to finish off with a flourish.
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