WORLD women’s boxing champion Nesthy Petecio remained locked down in Baguio City—but practically has no regrets about the city’s strict protocols—as De La Salle Lady Spikers of all generations expressed a united front against Covid-19 on the third day of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) on Monday.
With the track oval at the Teachers’ Camp still closed and the national boxing gym in the same facility still undergoing renovation, Petecio had to make do with what is available to stay in shape after two months and almost a week into quarantine.
“All we wish is to get back in training,” Petecio told the BusinessMIrror on Monday. “Even though we are now under GCQ [general community quarantine], the local government [Baguio City] still implements the guidelines, like barangays have their schedule to go to the market or other essential services,” Petecio said.
Baguio City has transitioned to GCQ from ECQ since March and earned the reputation as one of the most successful LGUs in limiting the spread of the virus within its jurisdiction.
“For me, it’s better that way. The volume of people [outside] remains under control,” the women’s featherweight world champion said.
Petecio also has to wait some more before finally going home to her home in Davao.
“I really miss my family. I want to see them. It’s getting tougher each day,” she said.
Products of the esteemed De La Salle women’s volleyball program, meanwhile, made a unified statement on Monday morning.
In a video compiled by University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 71 Most Valuable Player Manilla Santos-Ng, the Lady Spikers showed that they are one with the nation in the battle against the pandemic.
”We, the Lady Spikers, are once again united to aim our arrows in unity to fight this pandemic,” the team’s statement read. “As one team, we fully support all our frontliners who are fighting the battle for all of us.”
Joining Santos-Ng were her fellow MVPs Iris Ortega-Patrona (Season 62), Desiree Hernandez (Seasons 66 and 68), Aby Marano (Seasons 74 and 75), Ara Galang (Season 75) and Majoy Baron (Season 79).
Also paying tribute to the frontliners were Finals MVPs Michele Gumabao (Season 75), Kim Dy (Season 78), Des Cheng (Season 79) and Dawn Macandili (Season 80).
They were joined by Rookies of the Year Joanne Siy (Season 72) and Melissa Gohing (Season 71), Season 62 Best Spiker Ivy Remulla, Best Setters Chie Saet (Seasons 67 and 68) and Kim Fajardo (Seasons 76, 78, and 79) and three-time Best Libero and Season 67 Best Digger Sher Penano.
Completing the cast were Michelle Datuin, Michelle Madarang, Soleil Yap, Kim Lee, Vanessa Yance, Sally Macasaet, Demelle Chua, Kat Gumabao, Miakka Lim, Paneng Mercado, Cyd Demecillo, May Luna, Gyra Barroga, Arriane Layug, Mika Reyes, and twins Camille and Cienne Cruz.