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| Carmina Aganon (Left) and Fiola Ceballos (Right) |
Aganon, known to many as Mina, played for National University during her early years in the UAAP with Dindin Santiago, Jen Reyes, Desiree Dadang and later Jaja Santiago as they formed a formidable team that won championships in the defunct Shakey's V-League but one trophy is missing out in her resume, the UAAP, where in she was not able to win one during her stint there. When she ended her UAAP Career, she went on to play for several teams in the commercial level. She played for Army and Kia at the Shakey's V-League and Petron in the PSL where-in she won championships including the 14-game sweep of the 2015 All-Filipino Cup.
Mina also played for the National Team on different occasions proving she is not just a chinita princess on the court, she is also a hard hitter. She transferred to Foton last year to join her fellow NU Alumnus Ivy Perez, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Jaja Santiago and Jen Reyes to form a very strong nucleus but as the games pass by, she was used sparingly. But when the All-Filipino Cup came, Foton certainly needed a new leader to help out Maika Ortiz with both Jaja and Dindin playing in Japan, that is where "Sanchai", a nickname used by the legendary Noel Zarate bestowed to her, stepped up. Against Generika, she scored 20 points, 11 on attacks, 4 on blocks, and 5 on aces. Who needs the the Santiago Sisters, right?? Nope, Aganon spoke on what their expectations are especially that both Santiago Sisters are not around.
Mina also played for the National Team on different occasions proving she is not just a chinita princess on the court, she is also a hard hitter. She transferred to Foton last year to join her fellow NU Alumnus Ivy Perez, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Jaja Santiago and Jen Reyes to form a very strong nucleus but as the games pass by, she was used sparingly. But when the All-Filipino Cup came, Foton certainly needed a new leader to help out Maika Ortiz with both Jaja and Dindin playing in Japan, that is where "Sanchai", a nickname used by the legendary Noel Zarate bestowed to her, stepped up. Against Generika, she scored 20 points, 11 on attacks, 4 on blocks, and 5 on aces. Who needs the the Santiago Sisters, right?? Nope, Aganon spoke on what their expectations are especially that both Santiago Sisters are not around.
"Sa team and sa akin, wala naman expectations kasi bagong team na naman, rebuilding na naman kami. Naglaro lang kami ng dapat naming laruin, na kahit may pressure at kinakabahan, na kahit ngayon lang nababad ulit, ang maganda, maayos ang nilaro at naipanalo namin." She also stated, "We are not loaded, compare sa ibang teams, loaded na sila. Compare sa amin, ako, Layug, Gen (Casugod), di kami ganung kagamit compare sa iba. Mahirap sa amin na after ilang years na di nagamit mahirap ibalik ang dating nilalaro pero dahil sa tulong ng coaches at teammates namin, nagkaroon kami ng kumpiyansa." On the way she played during that game, she stated, "nababalance kasi sa teammates and coaches, malaki ang tiwala nila sa akin, sa amin, na alam nila na may magagawa sila para sa team.". She also remembered one thing to end our interview, "After ilang years, ngayon lang ako naka-20 points ulit, last 20 points ko was college pa ata, di ko din maalala kung naka 20 points ba ako sa Petron." For sure Aganon will prove a lot in her next games.
Fiola Ceballos took a different route to success, if Aganon is more on the indoor, Ceballos made her name on the beach courts. She started her volleyball career as a partner to none other than Jovelyn Gonzaga over in Iloilo for Central Philippines University and won numerous championships as she also played for pride and country as she and Jovelyn played in numerous International tournaments. When Gonzaga joined the Philippine Army, Ceballos stayed in Iloilo to hone her skills and when she was done in playing collegiate volleyball, she was brought in by Foton for the All-Filipino Conference and Beach Volleyball tournament in 2015. She also played during the early stages of the Queen's of the sands, now known as the Beach Volleyball Republic. After her stint with Foton, she suddenly was gone from the volleyball picture but come 2017, Generika came calling and grabbed the opportunity to play once again in the PSL. Ceballos played her best game to late as she finished with 21 points in the five-set loss to Foton but a lot of heads were turned as they were surprised of how this lady from Iloilo played.
A lot have changed in both the careers of these two ladies, but with their dedication to the game, their energy on the court and most especially never-say-die attitude, for sure their uprising to volleyball stardom will be quiet, but respectful. Both are winners, QUIET WINNERS
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