The Philippine Superliga Grand Prix has yet to start but there’s already a tinge of excitement over what the future holds for my good friend, Princess Gaiser.

I was so happy she became my teammate in Petron

As we all know, this is going to be Princess’ farewell conference as she is to embark on an entirely different journey to chase her dream of becoming a doctor.

Princess is my dear friend from way, way back.

We played high school volleyball at St. Scholastica’s College in Manila and developed a special bond that, hopefully, would last a lifetime.

When we were in high school, she was known as the “Milo girl” as she was the cute and petite volleyball player featured on the packages of our favorite chocolate drink.

After high school, we decided to continue our volleyball careers in the school closest to us — De La Salle University.

It was such a memorable experience because I was a little intimidated going there alone. Good thing that we were together and I overcame that fear — or rather nervousness — training for the Lady Spikers.

But for some reason, she didn’t end up with La Salle.

She said she wanted to try other schools, so she donned the University of the Philippines’ maroon shirt. Well, it was her choice and I was very happy that she found a new family with the Lady Maroons.

Just a little trivia about Princess: She idolizes (Wendy) Semana of FEU (Far Eastern University) so much and she loves watching the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) games. At the back of my mind, I know she will be fine.

We lost communication during our college years because we became very busy with our respective collegiate teams. We had a little gap and we only managed to see each other during UAAP games.

That’s why I was so happy she became my teammate in Petron. I realized that the odds of ending up playing with your high school friend are very slim, but fate still found a way to reunite us.

Her arrival as Petron’s libero reignited our friendship and made us closer again.

Initially, I thought she would no longer play volleyball after she suffered an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury in her final UAAP year. I thought she was to enter medical school after her recovery, so the idea of having her as teammate in the PSL didn’t cross my mind.

SEEING Princess go and chase her dream is a bittersweet experience. I wish her all the best to achieve her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. Good luck! I was glad to be proven wrong.

Having her as teammate again was such a sweet surprise.

The daily grind of training, the non-stop girl talk and the various off-court bonding moments like our recent trip to Puerto Princesa City made us closer again. It’s like turning back the hands of the clock and being transformed back to our high school days.

She’s now playing her final conference to finally fulfill her dream.

I’m really happy for her because finally, she will get to enter medical school. I’m sure she will finish her course with flying colors and will become a successful doctor someday.

We will always be here whenever she needs friends to talk to. We are her friends and we always have her back.

All we’re wishing is for her to have the patience, the belief and the trust in herself and she will easily get to overcome everything.

Before, Princess was saving the ball for us.

But soon, she will blossom into becoming “Dra. Princess” who will serve for and save lives of others.