Proximity is often among the key factors that draws athletes to their chosen sport. Whether it’s having a sibling dragging them along to the sport, or because they reside in a country that considers certain sports as national pastimes, seeing others compete in sports with a passion can be contagious. Though she had a former DLSU Lady Spiker for a sister in Erika Tiamzon-Billena, Tin Tiamzon was more interested in basketball growing up in Canada. With the lack of a solid program in Moscrop Secondary School in Burnaby, British Columbia, she pursued other options until an opportunity came knocking at her door.
“The volleyball coach [Kim Or], he held an open tryout and then I started from there to take volleyball seriously,” Tiamzon recounts. “And then the coach saw potential in me so he took me seriously under his [wing]. He made sure that I got to play volleyball in a very competitive way.”
Starting out at The 6
Through the efforts of her coach, Tiamzon was given several opportunities to succeed despite being new to the sport. Her basketball background also helped her have the requisite tools to learn quickly.
“If it wasn’t for my high school coach, I probably wouldn’t be here,” she says on her coach’s influence.
Her game began to grow, and soon enough, the prodding of her coach allowed her to think about her college plans. In choosing DLSU, she found another good mentor in Ramil De Jesus, who provided her with a different perspective that according to her, brought out various facets of her game she did not think she had.
Having a sister that played under De Jesus also made the transition much easier as Tiamzon would get to hear from her older sister about De Jesus’ coaching and how it has translated to success for La Salle for almost two decades.
“Coach Ramil is very intense and the way he coaches, very hands-on,” she says on her current coach. “He really wants to make sure that you learn something by the end of training.”
Dawn of a novice
De Jesus’ efficient system was among the reasons Tiamzon chose La Salle, adding that her sister explained to her how players under his system have been successful. To add to that, his teams have also performed well consistently.
“I guess that really connects to the deep culture that La Salle has, never fail[ing] to perform lower than top three,” she says.
Aside from the strong performance of DLSU in the UAAP, she also mentions the validity of the University when it comes to the transferrable units to foreign institutions, an indication of how it was more than just sports that influenced her decision to move back to the Philippines.
“So if ever I decided that I wanted to continue schooling in Canada or get a job in Canada, the credits in La Salle are good for a stable future there, so that I can transfer between the two countries,” the Business Management major mentions.
Dating back to her freshman year a year ago, she reminisces about her surreal experiences after an amazing UAAP Season 78. “It was a lot of lucky breaks from me, I got to be the third man for the champion beach volleyball team with Ate Kimmy [Fajardo] and Ate Cyd [Demecillo] and I also got to be a part of the champion team [in] indoor [volleyball]. I’m so happy that I got the chance to play with them, to train with them, and go through all the hard work with them.”
With the experience, she treats all the cherished memories as an inspiration for the years to come. “Through that experience I now have something in my bag that I can carry. Let’s say, in tagalog, diba, pinanghuhugutan. Like if I ever need inspiration, they’re my inspiration.”
But what Tiamzon really admires about her seniors is that “even if you’re just a frosh, they’ll always make sure that you’re comfortable playing on the court. If you’re having a bad day or if you’re having a tough time adjusting, they’re there to support you and not let you down. So it really was like family with the starting six and the rest of the team. They push you to be better but they also make sure that you’re feeling alright and that you are comfortable in the team dynamic.”
Fan love
After garnering a third-place finish in the UAAP Season 79 Beach Volleyball tournament, her fans had a heightened appreciation for the sophomore. “It’s nice to see that there are so many supporters who have been following this school. I’m just happy that they’re there. Even if there are people who doubt us, they’re still there to support us and I’m very thankful for that.”
Moreover, what surprised her the most is the effort of the fans in showing their admiration for the Lady Spikers. “I’m amazed with the fan art that they put their time into and also yeah, that was the most interesting [experience], that they just give a lot of free stuff to us.”
With a year under her belt, Tiamzon has come to appreciate her growth as a player, a development she credits to those around her. From the sister who provided her advice on her chosen passion to the mentors that opened the doors and helped develop her game, Tiamzon realizes that as an incoming veteran, she has the opportunity to pay it forward to her teammates, some of whom will play in the UAAP for the first time.
“I just tell them [to] try to absorb everything that they’re saying kasi nga they [senior players and coaches] have wisdom over us so they know a lot [of things] that we haven’t even experienced before. So just keep on being like a sponge and try to learn from our seniors and from coach,” she explains.
When asked on what her role will be after the departure of her seniors, the Filipino-Canadian player says that she will strive to play better. She is prepared to fill in the crucial positions for the Lady Spikers.
“Well I hope I can fill in Ate Ara’s [Galang] and Ate Cyd’s [Demecillo] shoes kasi nga open hitter, so a lot of us have to step up, including me. Now that I’ve shown what I’ve got in beach volley, hopefully I can do better in indoor.”
