MANILA, Philippines -- Doing one's thesis is difficult enough, in ordinary times. But to do so during the enhanced community quarantine, in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic, is another challenge entirely.

This is the situation that Aby Maraño, the captain of the national women's volleyball team, is facing at the moment as she juggles her academic requirements, while also staying fit and ready should the Philippine Superliga resume.

"Medyo madugo," admitted Maraño, who is doing her thesis on the relationship of media to the performance of select professional volleyball players in the Philippines.

The former UAAP Most Valuable Player is on her way to finishing her Master's degree in Philippine studies at De La Salle University.

"Tuloy-tuloy ang workout," she explained. "Pero other than that, tinatapos ko din 'yung thesis ko at saka mga final papers sa Master's degree. Puro sulat, puro ako research."

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Upon the encouragement of her adviser, Maraño decided to get a headstart on writing her thesis so that she won't be swamped with work next term, when she will also fulfill her on-the-job training requirements.

She chose a topic that is close to her heart, and one that she believes will be useful considering the popularity of volleyball in the Philippines.

"Wala pang pag-aaral tungkol sa Philippine volleyball," Maraño pointed out.

As excited as she is to do her thesis, Maraño ran into more difficulties than she anticipated. The ECQ, put in place last March, kept her from conducting interviews face-to-face, and there was also no guarantee that her resource persons will be available.

"Ang hirap," she admitted. "Kasi, nagiging online na lang 'yung mga interviews eh. Parang hindi na siya magiging raw. Kung mag-i-interview ka ng interviewee mo, hindi na magiging raw 'yung flow ng interview, kasi hindi siya personal na interview."

"'Yung availability rin ng mga ini-interview ko, 'di ko alam kung kailan sila okay to answer the questions," she added. "So patient lang din ako na maghintay."

"Ang hirap noon, kasi mayroon din akong timeline na sinusunod."

There are more challenges for Maraño to wade through. She has to finish research papers for other classes, and attend online classes as well.

"Lahat, pakunti-kunti, sinisumulan ko, tapos mapuputol. Ang hirap pa talagang balansehin," she admits.

All the while, Maraño makes sure that she is staying in shape. In their home in Sta. Ana, Manila, the national team captain does strengthening workouts daily.

"Wala akong bola," she said. "Workout talaga, puro strengthening talaga ako, tapos mga talon-talon, ganyan. Medyo mahirap."

"Sa part namin ngayon, 'yung mga nagse-self training, pinakakalaban mo din kasi 'yung sarili mo eh," Maraño explained.

"Nasanay ka na kasi na nagte-training ka, kasama mo marami. So parang may nagpu-push sa'yo, may nagmo-motivate."

Now that she's training alone, Maraño relies on tried-and-tested tactics to push herself to finish her workouts.

"Nasanay ako na sa training namin, ako 'yung sumisigaw na, 'Let's go, konti na lang, kaya pa 'yan.' Ngayon, parang ginagawa ko na lang din 'yun sa sarili ko. Pero ang hirap," she says.

Maraño regularly checks on her teammates in F2 Logistics, contacting them via Facebook. She is confident that like her, they too are doing their part to stay ready and in shape, and are remaining disciplined during the lockdown.

There is, however, no certainty as to when they can return to the court.

The Philippine Superliga announced last month that the Grand Prix was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was one of several local sporting events to be affected by the outbreak. The NCAA and the UAAP were both cancelled, and the PBA suspended all of its activities.

Maraño is determined to fulfil her academic obligations even during the quarantine, but she is also lamenting the impact of the lockdown on their lives as athletes.

"Eto ata 'yung pinakamahabang bakasyon sa buong buhay namin as athletes, since college," said Maraño, who has been playing volleyball virtually non-stop since her time in De La Salle University.

"Eto na 'yun. Usually, every year, dire-diretso ang trabaho, ang training. Ang pahinga lang namin, dalawang linggo para sa holiday na Christmas at New Year," she added.

"Ngayon? Ibang klase," Maraño said. "Magdadalawang buwan na."

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