Unheralded

I'm borrowing this line from Rick Reilly to open up a blog.

Looks aren't everything.

And I will use the same tack he used in a story he wrote about Allen Iverson in the 90s by asking you to close your eyes while I describe the player I'm introducing. Compared with today's volleyball stars, she's all power, with bazooka-like hands and arms. Whenever she unleashes one of her powerful spikes, you should be prepared to dive to the floor and scamper for that poor ball she will hammer.

You're thinking of Alyssa Valdez, right? Wrong.

This lady seemed to be appreciated only by genuine followers who watch her game after game. She's shy with everyone, but when you get a chance to talk to her, you know that she's speaking from heart. She's a classic case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; soft-spoken and mild-mannered outside the volleyball court, but a monster inside it.

You're thinking of Rachel Ann Daquis, right? Wrong.

She is simply electric. She could carry an offense and a team by herself. One match, she will bury you with her power game the way she did with Army when she unleashed 25 hits, most of them kills. Another, she will use her blocking to suffocate you. If you know what juggernaut meant, she's the one.

You're thinking of Jovelyn Gonzaga, right? Wrong.

She's a born winner. She won a treble by winning the championship with the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns, the Shakey's V-League Season 11-Third Conference MVP and the Finals MVP. And she did the trick twice after she accomplished the same feat five seasons ago when she led the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses to the title and bagged Conference and Finals MVP plums on the same breath five seasons back.

You're thinking of Abby Marano, right? Wrong.

Now open your eyes and take a look at her. She's Aiza Maizo-Pontillas. You're shocked right? She's not the super model or Ms. Universe you expect. She carries herself simply. She doesn't talk that much. Smiles sheepishly. She's a little chubby. Shame on you all if you're obsessed with what's on the outside of a person rather than the inside. Take a little look and talk to her and you will see a beautiful lady. She's honest to the bones. She's genuine. And we're not even talking about her game? If there's a basketball player to compare her with, Dwight Howard is the first one who comes to mind. And she's a mother who misses her two-year-old boy Aaron James. That is love, ladies and gentlemen.

And that is more than enough for me.

 If only AJ could watch her mom play, I'm sure she'll be proud.

I'm just a fan of her.

And, pardon my French, I'm freaking darn proud of her.

To the bones.

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Joey Villar is a longtime sportswriter for The Philippine STAR and a guest columnist for Philstar.com. His views do not reflect those of the organizations he writes for.