I already said it before that I will always choose to play for the country more than anything else.

JOVELYN Gonzaga vows to play as long as the country wants her services.

Jovelyn Gonzaga and Johnvic de Guzman know that their stints with the national team in international competition are getting shorter by the day.

They know that soon, they have to unlace and hang their sneakers and fade to give way for other younger, more aggressive volleyball players.

Still, they won’t step down just like that.

“I already said it before that I will always choose to play for the country more than anything else,” said De Guzman, who helped the Nationals pluck the silver medal in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

“I will only stop playing for the Philippines if it doesn’t need my services anymore.”

“I will never get tired of playing for the country. It’s my dream to play for the national team and now that I am living it, I promise to stay here for was long as I can.”

Patriotism runs through the veins of both De Guzman and Gonzaga.

In fact, De Guzman served as captain of the national squad that campaigned in the 29th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur and the recent biennial meet in Manila while Gonzaga embraced that role when the Nationals competed in the 28th SEA Games in Singapore following a 10-year hiatus.

Aside from making sure to contribute inside the court, they also had to live by example and fire up their teammates to do their best for flag and country.

“Being the team captain brings a lot of responsibility because you have the entire team on your back,” said De Guzman, a former Most Valuable Player in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Gonzaga said serving as captain entailed her to become a role model.

“You really have to be at your best all the time because your teammates are all looking up to you, especially during those dark moments.”

JOHNVIC de Guzman will never stop serving his country through volleyball.

Gonzaga and De Guzman admitted that they are still clueless of what the future holds for them.

But one thing is for sure: They will always choose to play for the Filipinos.

“I don’t know yet what I will do after the SEA Games because my future with Philippine Superliga and Premier Volleyball League will only be determined next year,” Gonzaga said.

“So nothing yet is certain at this moment, but I am sure that I will always choose to play for the country.”

For De Guzman, who already tested the waters of the entertainment industry, his country will always be on top of his priorities.

“It’s always the country, no matter what,” he said.

“After the SEA Games, the training will still continue and if given the chance to play again for the Philippines, it’s always a yes.”