The Philippine Superliga (PSL) Invitational Conference went full blast and teams plunged into action right away, knowing that this is going to be a very short tournament.

Petron played its first game against bitter rival F2 Logistics last Saturday.

Actually, a lot of fans were saying that our game against F2 Logistics came very early in the conference unlike in the previous years when we would face each other in the crucial stretch when the stakes are high.

Part of me was worried playing against a very solid team like the Cargo Movers very early in the conference. I was thinking that we are still jittery and a bad loss could affect our morale and dictate the pace of our campaign in the entire Invitational Conference.

I was also worried because we had a depleted lineup coming into the game as me and Ate Rhea (Dimaculangan) would not be able to suit up due to injuries.

But the team said we shouldn’t let negativity get into our heads. Sure, F2 Logistics is the defending champion, but we should not overthink the situation and just enjoy the game and embrace all the responsibilities that were given to us.

After all, this is just an ordinary game and it’s still too early in the conference to get worried.

Even without me, Petron will still play its heart out in the PSL Invitational Conference.

Also, the coaches told us that we just have to play our game and the outcome will take care of itself. We should also not look for the presence of the sidelined players and, instead, focus on how we will this contest.

But I am still doing my therapy ad conditioning and won’t be able to play any time soon.

I am also grateful to the support given to me by the management and the coaches and even if I’m not playing, they still make me feel that I’m very much part of the team.

I just realized that no matter how much I want to help, I still have to follow the timeline and maximize the recovery period.

I also don’t want to rush my return. I want to step on the court when I’m already 100 percent so that I could avoid aggravating my injury.

Being a spectator allows me to see the game from a different perspective.

Against F2 Logistics, I can see the tight bond and chemistry that we have developed. I noticed that the team is really enjoying the game, which is something that we lost last conference that led to our failure to advance to the final series.

Sure, there were still some problems when they tend to relax down the stretch, but I’m glad that everybody is collaborating and helping each other for the sake of the team.

It was a great win and nobody was expecting that the result would be that easy.

However, a mere one game is not an assurance that we would win the title. It’s still too early to predict our fate and we still have to work hard to dethrone F2 Logistics in this short — but very competitive — conference.

We know the league is stacked with very good teams like Cignal, Foton and Generika-Ayala so we should be always ready and prepared.

Still, I commend the team for displaying a great effort and for Ate Anj (Angel Legacion) who did well in the playmaking department despite the mounting pressure on her shoulders.

I was glad that the team managed to help each other out and plucked the win that could be the start of something good for us.

But rest assured that I am helping them in whatever way I can.

I know that at this point, I am not a middle blocker who can thwart the attempt of the opposing scorer.

Instead, I am a cheerleader who gladly motivates and inspires my teammates when the going gets tough.