Akari Chargers’ Max Juangco within the Akari Invitational Cup.
MANILA, Philippines — Max Juangco embraces the challenge of attempting to fill within the shoes of libero Justine Jazareno in her upcoming skilled debut with the Akari Chargers within the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference, which opens on February 20.
Weeks before the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, the Far Eastern University libero decided to show pro and play for the Chargers, who won’t have Jazareno indefinitely after she announced her pregnancy.
The 22-year-old Juangco, who already played for her pro team within the Akari Invitational Cup, knows that jumping into the professionals won’t be easy and so is filling within the void left by the previous La Salle stalwart.
“Really big shoes to fill in but [I have to deal with it]. No pressure in any respect,” said the rookie libero in Filipino. “Coach Raffy [Mosuela] told me to simply play your game and revel in. And it’s a giant factor that my Ates have been talking to me and guiding me, making me feel that I’m not only 22 [years old].”
Juangco, who played within the last two UAAP seasons, has still at the very least a playing yr left with FEU but she decided to hitch Akari, “searching for personal growth and stepping outside of her comfort zone.”
The defensive specialist said she’s lucky to have veteran libero Bang Pineda been guiding her in addition to her fellow newcomer Grethcel Soltones on the Chargers side. And having the identical system of interim coach Raffy Mosuela with FEU makes it easier for her.
“I’m joyful because once I got here here it’s not that arduous because Akari and FEU almost have the identical system so it was little-to-no adjustments in any respect. I’m so lucky because my teammates are welcoming,” Juangco said.
“I get anxious when I even have self-doubts because this just isn’t just an odd world of volleyball, that is in the professionals but my teammates were huge aspects in helping me overcome my doubts.”
Juangco will reunite with former FEU coach Tina Salak, who shall be a part of Mosuela’s coaching staff, and he or she hopes that she and her mentor can have a successful stint in the professionals.
“Coach T is absolutely strict and I don’t know if she is going to bring it to the professionals. But I’m excited to be along with her and greater than that I would like to realize victories along with her, representing Akari this time,” she said.
