I have admired her even more so now than before, talk about DLSU’s Ara Galang

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Even before more and more people have started to really recognize the great player that she is in the court… I have already become her fan.

I used to think when Ara Galang was still starting her career as part of the 8^th-time Champion De La Salle University, even after she won her Rookie of the Year and Best Server awards in Season 74, and co-MVP award in Season 75, that she was so underrated. This, I said just because there were obviously overrated players. She deserved much more attention… for there was this girl who grew into, if not the best, one of the best all-around players in her generation. Her transformation from being a substitute to LS’ prime scorer and leader is really astounding. 

First and foremost, I am a Manilla Santos fan… I have become a supporter of LS ever since her era. Illa was not tall but she spikes the ball like there’s no tomorrow. When she was turned into a libero, I was amazed at how she could be good at it too. In a way, I was reminded of Illa when I first caught a glimpse of Ara. But Ara Galang is not the next Illa Santos or Cha Cruz. She is the one and only Ara Galang. She is her own name.

Ara’s extreme talent… I never thought a player can really be good at almost everything. Admittedly, like I mentioned earlier, the thing that shocked me most was the fact that: with all Ara’s GREATNESS, she has lesser fans… as evident sometimes when you hear people cheer more on other players than her. But, I doubt if that’s a big deal for Ara. She’s not much of a talker. You’ll be just smacked right into the face each and every time she fires up during their games, which is like most of the time. 

LS’ sweep in the elimination round of Season 76 showed how dominant the team was… It was also another unstoppable performance for Ara. Though Aby Maraño was the leader, Ara was evidently the main gunner of the team where most points of LS comes from. I know that LS is a TEAM team where no one is really considered as the STAR player BUT during the quest for a historic 4-peat in the Season 76 Finals… one which LS failed to achieve, especially in that ONE and only game that LS won against the BLUEs, Ara carried the team on her shoulders. It was heart breaking to see it unfold yet it was the point where I think more and more people started to realize that certain role Ara plays in the team.

And now, we come to this point that we are in despair not because LS might not be able to reclaim the championship this year but because this great player that we have grown to admire and love is in pain (literally) at the cost of LS’ road to the Finals. We cry with her during her bad fall in that do-or-die game against NU… and we cry even more for we care about her condition. We want the best for her because she deserves it. She led the team… she worked so hard… In spite of the bumpy road that LS had to survive through, Ara did not fail us. 

The best that we can do? Pray for her (like everybody else did as #PrayforAraGalang trended worldwide) and extend our love for her. What her team mates can do? It’s definitely much more than those things… It should serve as their wake up call to play with more heart than ever. Draw inspiration and motivation from their leader’s current debacle. Lastly, and most importantly, to live by their purpose in the first place. The very reason why Ara gave it her all.

God bless us all. To Ara, get well soon! We’ll miss seeing you play. Get well soon. To the whole team, win or lose, champions or not, we will support you all the way.