Better every game.
After shaking off first-game jitters, veteran hard-hitter Joan Monares continues to be a vital cog for the UP Women’s Volleyball Team (WVT) in UAAP Season 87 by making her presence felt on both ends of the court.
Known for her attacking prowess, the 5-foot-10 spiker continues to be at the forefront of UP’s offense this season, delivering an average of 11.83 points per game and currently sitting at the tenth spot of the best scorers in the league.
Additionally, Monares has been rock solid in keeping State U’s floor defense clean with an average of 6.8 and 3.8 excellent digs and receives, respectively, during the first five games.
In their latest matchup against National University, she contributed eight points with eight digs and nine excellent receptions.
The Bacolod native emphasized the importance of working hard and taking training seriously in getting ready for games.
”Work lang nang work during training kasi lahat naman ng tini-train namin, lalabas din sa laro,” she said in a post-game interview with Tinig ng Plaridel (TNP) after their match against the UST Golden Tigresses.
”Kahit sabihin nating nakapaglaro na ako sa UAAP before, first few games talaga, medyo nervous pa, but I’m trying to work on it dahil habang tumatagal ‘yung laro, kailangan ko ring tatagan yung sarili ko kasi […] I want to contribute more,” Monares added.
After showing off her explosive plays throughout high school, it was only after being recruited for the UP Women’s Volleyball team that the Bacolod Tay Tung High School standout suffered a bad injury, making it harder to sustain her UAAP bid.
“Every training, may goal ako […] kailangan kong gawing maayos […] tiyagaan talaga sa process. Alam ko ‘yung process mahihirapan ako, pero kung hindi ka masipag, wala din,” Monares said in a 2024 interview with TNP.
Beyond the stat sheets, the 24-year-old extends her value through leadership as one of the “ates” of their young squad, holding a key role in keeping the team intact.
“[We always have to] talk it out kasi kailangan namin i-point out ‘yung mistakes and errors namin sa court,” she said, when asked how they address play errors within the team.
She mentioned that turning a blind eye on their miscommunications during a game would not help them improve their team coordination.
“‘Di pwedeng hinahayaan lang namin kasi if we want to do it […] kailangan namin i-polish ‘yung laro namin,” she added.
With the appointment of Oliver Almadro as the UP WVT’s program director and head coach in August 2023, Monares’ career got a second wind.
Despite the injuries she sustained in the past years, Almadro was one of the few people who continued to believe in her potential, encouraging her to train and battle her way back into the starting six during the Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
“I will give her value,” Almadro said to TNP, when he decided on letting Monares take on a key role last season.
In return, the outside spiker trusted UP’s system and took her time in adjusting to it.
”Pinagkakatiwalaan ko rin ‘yung sistema na gusto i-apply sa UP, sa training. Bago pa lang, eh. Give a chance na makapag-training nang mas mahaba, na mas maganda ‘yung maging performance sa UP,” Monares shared to TNP last year.
This paid off for Monares and the Fighting Maroons as they kickstarted their UAAP Season 87 run with back-to-back wins against the UE Lady Warriors and FEU Lady Tamaraws in the first round of eliminations.
Within the scope of their six games, Monares shined the brightest when she tallied 19 points on 17 attacks and two aces while also delivering eight digs in their winning game against FEU.
As the season reaches the midway point, Joan looks to keep the fire burning as they look to get back on track towards the Final Four.
The UP WVT will be closing out their first round campaign when they go against the Adamson Lady Falcons on March 16 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
— with reports from Anya Limbaga
