JEM NICOLE Gutierrez will team up with Cherry Ann Rondina for the UST Lady Spikers in their bid for the UAAP beach volleyball title this season.
Gutierrez will replace Rica Jane Rivera, who will now play for the indoor volleyball team. The Lady Spikers slid to fifth after winning the championship the year before.
“This time I really need to trust myself more and I can say that I gained enough maturity because I have been through a lot the past few years,” Gutierrez told the Varsitarian in an interview.
Gutierrez proved to be an able substitute as third man on the sand courts when she took over the injured Rivera, a former Rookie of the Year awardee, and partnered with Rondina during their championship run in the 19th Nestea Beach volleyball tournament last May.
The Nestea stint became an eye-opener for Lady Spikers head coach Jan Paul Doloiras to choose Gutierrez as the perfect tandem with Rondina, a former MVP.
Although adjusting from indoor to outdoor volleyball became a tough challenge for her, Gutierrez said herchemistry with Rondina, a former MVP, had been fortified through the one-year training she took under Doloiras.
“The lapses are inevitable and I cannot say that our tandem is perfect but our connection is there and working,” Gutierrez said.
Playing for the Golden Tigresses was a dream come true, but it also was her biggest downfall as she saw little to no playing time in her two years of stay.
But with the help of Doloiras and long-time UST beach volleyball coach Emil Lontoc, Gutierrez recovered from her biggest frustrations and ended up playing for the beach volleyball squad.
Doloiras said Gutierrez’ wavering mental strength was her weakness especially when she was still playing in theindoor league.
“She really wanted to win and that is something that she and the team have been holding onto. She is willing to take back the crown this Season 79,” the new tactician said.
Before leaving indoor volleyball, the 20-year-old Behavioral Science student savored her last chance when she played in the 13th Shakey’s V-League.
