PETRON’S Frances Molina earned the sixth of seven golden tickets for the Philippine Superliga (PSL) team that will see action in the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Women’s Club World Championship from October 18 to 23 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Molina, who was watching the All Filipino Conference games at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City on Sunday, was surprised that she was called to center court by PSL President Tats Suzara to join the first five golden ticket holders Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga of RC Cola-Army, Kim Fajardo of F2 Logistics, Jen Reyes of Petron and Jaja Santiago of Foton.
“I didn’t expect to get one golden ticket,” said Molina, who at 5-foot-9 could play multiple positions. She considered leaving the country to be with her mother in London but decided to stay and play volleyball.
“This is worth it. I thought of going to London but my decision to stay paid off,” the 21-year-old Tarlac native said.
Molina played for San Beda in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and was the back-to-back Best Blocker in Season 87 and 88. She helped lead San Beda to the Final Four berth, the best finish for the school in NCAA volleyball, before she suffered a season-ending shin injury in her final playing year in Season 89.
Four veteran players from different PSL teams, meanwhile, have been added to the Foton-Pilipinas team that will represent the country in the Asian Women’s Club Championship. They are Aby Maraño, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Rachel Ann Daquis and Jen Reyes.
“We are taking our participation here very seriously and we believe that the addition of these four veterans will be a big help for our players, considering all four have played in previous editions of the tournament,” Foton Team Manager Alvin Lu said.