Photo by Jemverick Viray/ The LANCE.
Despite the sudden termination of NCAA Season 95, Charm Simborio has no regrets with how her collegiate career had ended.
“Sad but happy pa ‘rin in a way. Happy, kasi syempre ga-graduate na ako. Ready na ako sa next chapter ng buhay ko,” said the Letran Lady Knights team captain.
Definitely, the road Simborio took had been long and hard.
The 5-foot-6, Batangas-native first played for FEU Tamaraws in UAAP Season 76 before transferring to Letran in 2015. She made her debut in the NCAA Season 92.
While the team may be dubbed as ‘underdogs’ throughout her run in Letran, Simborio admits that playing for the Lady Knights gave her the opportunity to maximize her potential as a player and more importantly -- as a leader.
“Dito kasi mas nabigyan ako ng responsibilities na mas mabigat kaysa nung nasa FEU ako. Natuto ako maging leader," she said.
“Natuto ako maniwala na kaya namin kahit tingin ng lahat ay hindi. ‘Yung kailangan magtiwala ako sa mga kasama ko at kung anong kakayahan meron sila."
However, an accident while playing beach volleyball in Season 94 almost took her confidence away.
“Pinakamahirap sakin is ‘yung nainjury ako, kasi ang hirap ng recovery. Naka-recover ako physically, pero mahirap mentally," she shared.
“Mahirap ibalik yung pagiging matapang kasi kahit fully recovered na ako, may takot pa rin ako bawat galaw."
But this didn’t stop her from playing her heart out with the team she believed in.
Prior to the termination, the Lady Knights was able to up their slate this season to 4-4, a huge improvement from their 3-6 finish a season ago.
With the momentum and learnings they gained in Season 95, Simborio is confident that the rest of the squad led by Chamberlaine Cunada will carry it to next year -- a season hosted by Letran.
“Sila naman. Kailangan lang mas maging matapang sila. Matuto sila sa naexperience namin ngayong Season 95. Maraming nagdodoubt sa kakayahan ng team pero gawin lang nilang motivation ‘yun para mas gumaling sa paglalaro.”