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Idol and friend: What Tyang Aby has learned from Thai star

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/08/20/20180820-marano-thinkaow-1.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Philippine captain Abigail Marano and Thailand captain Pleumjit Thinkaow pose with game officials before their match. Photo courtesy of Abigail Marano on Instagram.</figcaption></figure></div>JAKARTA -- Aby Maraño’s smile ahead of their match against Thailand on Sunday could have lit up the entire volleyball arena at the Gelora Bung Karno complex.The former De La Salle University team captain, who now skippers the women’s national volleyball team, had plenty of reason to be happy. For one, the Philippines was finally playing a volleyball game in the Asian Games -- after 36 years of not sending a team to the continental showcase.For another, Maraño got to once again share the court with her volleyball idol, Pleumjit Thinkaow, the middle blocker who is also the captain of the Thailand team. They posed for a photo with game officials before the match, with Maraño grinning from ear-to-ear.Thailand went on to win the match, 25-22, 25-12, 25-15, but the Filipinas drew solace from their superb start in the opening frame when they ran up to a 9-2 lead against the Southeast Asian champions.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/volleyball/news/2018/08/20/look-ph-volleybelles-pose-jordan-clarkson-45831">LOOK: PH volleybelles pose with Jordan Clarkson</a></li></ul>Later in the day, the very same picture would make its way to Maraño’s Instagram stories, sent to her by Pleumjit herself. The Filipina star, known for her “Beast Mode, Don’t Care” mantra, tacked on an “OMG” sticker to the picture. This was not the first time she has played against Pleumjit, but getting to interact with her idol never fails to thrill her.“Hindi ko na mabilang,” she said when asked how many times she has played against Thinkaow. “Ang saya lang sa pakiramdam, kasi dati, idol mo lang.”“Ngayon,” she added, “Masasabi ko na kaibigan ko na siya.”<div>Bonding over snacks</div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/08/20/20180820-marano-thinkaow-2.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Pleumjit sends a message to Marano. Photo courtesy of Abigail Marano.</figcaption></figure></div>Maraño remembers the first time she ever played against the Thai star, who has helped her country win an incredible nine straight gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games. It was all the way back in 2015, and she shared the court with Thinkaow for only a very brief moment.“Pinasok lang ako noong last one na sila,” she said. “Saka lang ako nakapasok.”Since then, however, she and Pleumjit have come to know each other better. During a recent trip to Thailand, the volleyball star even gifted her with snacks.“Last time, nag-Thailand kami, kinakain ko &#x27;yung chitchiria nila sa Thailand, tinawag niya ako, sabi niya, &#x27;You like it?&#x27;” she recalls.“Sabi ko, ‘Yeah, it’s very nice.’ Tapos, after noon, nag-message siya na bumili siya, pinicture-an niya, ang dami niyang biniling ganoon para daw sa akin,” said Maraño.Even now, the memory of the moment gives Maraño goosebumps. “Kilig na kilig ako diyan,” she admitted.<div>All business</div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/08/20/20180820-marano-thinkaow-3.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Marano posts a message from Pleumjit on her Instagram stories.</figcaption></figure></div>It’s easy to see why Maraño idolizes Pleumjit. At 5-foot-11, Pleumjit is not all that tall for a middle blocker, but possesses exceptional speed and impeccable skills. Even now, at 34 years old, Pleumjit continues to be a terror at the net, and her running attacks remain as potent as ever.At 5-foot-9, Maraño is also quite short for a middle blocker, even by Philippine standards. Yet “Tyang Aby” plays with an uncommon ferocity, and uses her superb timing and technique to anchor her team’s net defense. Like Pleumjit, she has also made a living by scoring through running attacks.“Every time na maglalaro ako, lagi kong pinapanood ‘yung mga highlights niya,” said Maraño. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos na nagagawa ko ‘yung ibang mga kaya niyang gawin.”She is grateful every time she faces off against Pleumjit -- as well as the other high-caliber players that the Philippines have to deal with when they play in international tournaments. For the 25-year-old Maraño, it reminds her of how far she has come in her volleyball career.“Puro pasasalamat,” she said. “Kasi sabi ko nga sa ano, una kasi nag-umpisa lang ako sa pangarap. Pero ngayon, you&#x27;re living the dream eh. Sobrang pasasalamat lang, kasi lahat ng paghihirap na ginawa mo, pakonti-konti, nakikita mo na &#x27;yung bunga.”As grateful as she is, this is still Maraño, one of the most intensely competitive athletes to ever wear a De La Salle uniform. As much as she admires Pleumjit, once they are inside the court she is all business.“Every time nakakalaban ko si Pleumjit, hindi ko iniisip na idol ko siya. Iniisip ko na kalaban ko siya,” said Maraño, who scored five points in the match to Pleumjit’s 10. She was full Beast Mode against Thailand, roaring in delight when she registered a kill block and celebrating when she scored off her trademark running hit.When the match is over, then Maraño can succumb to her inner fangirl -- as evidenced by the gushing tone in her Instagram stories. Making her even more giddy is how Pleumjit commended the Philippine team after the match: though Thailand won in straight sets, Pleumjit said that the Filipinas were “very good.”“Tuwang-tuwa ako doon,” she said. “Napansin niya, ibig sabihin itong banyagang manlalaro na ito, na-appreciate niya &#x27;yung team namin, nakita niya &#x27;yung pagbabago, and pinuna niya.”“Ibig sabihin, &#x27;yung banyagang manlalaro, napansin &#x27;yun, na-appreciate &#x27;yun. Dapat tayong mga Pilipino, mapansin din natin &#x27;yun. &#x27;Yung hirap at yung pagbabago na napapakita naman ngayon,” she added.<div>Paying it forward</div>Maraño has learned plenty from Pleumjit -- her running hits, her blocking technique, her intensity on the court.But she also strives to emulate the Thai star’s demeanor off the court -- her humility and thoughtfulness, in particular.“Kahit gaano ka ka-successful at kasikat, nakalapat pa rin ang mga paa sa lupa,” said Maraño.Maraño is very aware that for many young volleyball players in the Philippines, she is their version of Pleumjit -- the star they aspire to reach. Thus, she wants to be as good of a role model to these young players, the same way Pleumjit was to her.“Nakakatuwa kasi na-inspire mo sila eh. Ibig sabihin naging maganda kang ehemplo ka sa mga batang ito. Parang nashe-share mo sa kanila kung ano &#x27;yung buhay mo noong nagsisimula ka, kaya nga sila, may push din,” she said. “May drive sila na mag-pursige din. Tapos makikita mo &#x27;tong mga batang &#x27;to, na-appreciate ka kaya ang saya talaga sa puso.”For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

Aby Maraño got to once again share the court with her volleyball idol, Pleumjit Thinkaow, the middle blocker who is also the captain of the Thailand team.

Aby Maraño got to once again share the court with her volleyball idol, Pleumjit Thinkaow, the middle blocker who is also the captain of the Thailand team.

Idol and friend: What Tyang Aby has learned from Thai star

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Idol and friend: What Tyang Aby has learned from Thai star

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 20, 2018 05:21 PM PHT

Read More:

Asian Games

volleyball

Aby Maraño

Pleumjit Thinkaow

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