MANILA, Philippines – While playing for University of Santo Tomas (UST) in the UAAP Season 79 tournament, Dimdim Pacres learned to be satisfied with being subbed in and out of games, tasked to give a boost off the bench whenever one of the usual stars misfired.

In the Power Smashers of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), Pacres has been given a considerably bigger role. One of the new additions to a team composed mostly of NCAA stars, Pacres has been one of the team's primary scoring options besides Jovelyn Prado and Regine Arocha.

Over five games, she has scored 56 points, good for fifth in the league. Unlike in UST, where she rarely played an entire complete game, in the Power Smashers, Pacres is rarely ever subbed out. The new responsibility is one that Pacres enjoys.

"Dito, parang ang haba ng playing time ko," Pacres said after she scored 12 points in the Power Smashers' sweep of Air Force for their third win the Reinforced Conference.

"Sabi nga ni coach, gawin mo lang, kasi parang ako lang ang mag-isa sa puwesto na 'yun. Mag-double time daw ako, kasi mas mahaba ang playing time ko, tapos wala daw masyadong sub," she added.

[I have longer playing time here. As coach said, I have to work hard because I'm the only player in my position. I need to work double time.]

The coach Pacres is referring to is Nes Pamilar, one of the icons of the local volleyball coaching scene. Early in the conference, Pamilar told reporters that he has put his full confidence in the UST standout, who gained a following in UAAP Season 79 thanks to her obvious power.

"Sabi ko nga kay Pacres noong nag-start siya na mag-ensayo, kailangan mag-double time ka dito, kasi dito, talagang gagamitin kita, tuloy-tuloy kang maglalaro dito," Pamilar said. "Hindi katulad sa UAAP na papasok, lalabas."

"Dito, mas babad ka ngayon. Kaya sabi ko, pagpursigihan mong mabuti para tumagal ka sa laban," he added.

[I told Pacres when she started practicing with us that she has to work double time, because here, she will play longer minutes, unlike in the UAAP.]

According to Pacres, the most helpful advice that Pamilar has given her so far is about having self-confidence. "Tiwala lang sa sarili," she said. "Kasi grabe ang tiwala niya sa akin na kaya ko talaga."

[He told me to trust myself because he has so much trust in me.]

She is confident that she will be able to carry over this same confidence to the Tigresses when it is time for her to return to the España-based squad.

"Parang experience na lang din (ito para sa akin)," she said.

[This will be a good experience for me.]

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