MANILA, Philippines — After spending a year on Team B and most of the summer tournaments having her weight watched by her coach, Dimdim Pacres has blossomed into a reliable option for University of Santo Tomas.

Pacres had already played for the Tigresses in Season 77, but did not make the cut for Kungfu Reyes' team last year. During the V-League Collegiate Conference in the summer, Pacres had her moments, but for the most part, UST fans were more excited about the play of high school star Eya Laure.

In the UAAP Season 79 tournament, however, Pacres has forced volleyball fans to pay attention to her. The arena barker already has a special nickname for her — "Boom, Pacres" — as the left-handed spiker has a penchant for strong hits and intense play that has livened up the Tigresses.

On Saturday, Pacres got her first start, playing against Far Eastern University in their last game of the first round, and paid off her coach's trust by producing 12 points, including three aces, en route to Player of the Game honors in UST's 25-16, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20 win.

"Sobrang thankful po ako kasi naka-provide ako ng points sa team, nakatulong po ako at natulungan ko sila para mag-ingay sa court," said Pacres, who was used by Reyes as the so-called "Magic Bunot" against National University last Wednesday.

"Mag-perform lang po ako, at pumalo lang po talaga ako," Pacres answered when asked of her coach's instructions. "At iga-guide ko yung team na mag-ingay lagi."

This "noise" that Pacres provides is crucial for UST, as it helps alleviate the pressure from a team that often finds itself crumbling under the weight of expectations. Whenever Pacres scores and celebrates, it is clear how she is able to lift her teammates' spirits — and thus, lift up their game.

"Mas nape-perform namin ng maayos kapag nage-enjoy kami," was how Pacres put it.

It has been quite a journey for Pacres, who treated her stint on Team B as a learning experience, but came out of it more determined than ever to find her spot on the first team.

"Pinu-push ko 'yung sarili ko na dapat ma-line-up ako ngayon," she said. "Kasi noong high school po talaga ako, hindi po ako bina-bangko. Lagi akong ginagamit. So pinu-push ko 'yung sarili ko na mapasok sa Team A."

Pacres revealed that she was able to make the lineup even without meeting the weight requirement her coaches set for her, even as Reyes asked her nearly every day during the V-League tournament about it.

"Hindi ko po siya na-achieve," she said, smiling sheepishly. "Ang hirap po kasi talaga na mag-lose weight. Nagsimula ako mag-volleyball, ganito po talaga ang katawan ko. Simula po bata ako."

It is obvious, however, that Pacres is devastatingly effective even if she did not meet the criteria that Reyes set. The spiker says she is simply thankful to have been given a chance, and continues to work hard under Reyes' watchful eye.

"Sa training po, lagi akong overload ni coach, kapag hindi ako gumagalaw ng maayos. Tine-take ko yun as a challenge, and 'yung hirap, kailangan sya mag-pay off," she said. "Kailangan po talaga mag-perform ng maayos."

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