For Davao Eagle, silver glitters like gold

Davao Eagle Carla Dizon is presented with an award by Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario. Photo by Christine Cudis/Rappler

TAGUM CITY, Philippines – As National Capital Region spiker Carla Sandoval scored the championship-clinching hit and the celebration began inside the filled-to-the-rafters University of Mindanao-Tagum campus gymnasium, Samantha Dizon’s Palarong Pambansa career also came to an end.

Crestfallen by her team’s crushing loss in the finals of the secondary girls volleyball tournament for the second straight year, Dizon—albeit backing up tears—remained gracious even in defeat.

For Dizon, the silver medal is more than the gold.

“Feeling ko masaya po kasi last year nakaabot kami sa finals tapos ngayon nakaabot ulit kami,” said the 5’5” outside hitter.

(I feel happy about it because last year we were able to reach the finals and this, we’re here again).

“More than gold po ang medal na ito kasi dala nito ang mga natutunan ko at experiences ko sa Palaro,” Dizon added.

(This silver medal is more than gold because it brings with it the things I learned and my experiences in the Palaro).

At the age of 10, Dizon began playing volleyball and it brought her to places like the Palarong Pambansa twice (as a grade 6 pupil and last year) before she sang her swan song this year.

“Last Palaro ko na po ito pero okay lang. Magaganda ‘yung experiences na nakuha ko,” said Dizon, who spikes hard and possesses some swag which endears herself to the crowd.

Dizon now looks ahead to her future although she has not yet decided on what school she will be going to in college.

“I don’t know yet but looking at Ateneo de Davao,” said Dizon when asked about what is next for her.

True enough, Dizon’s silver medal glitters like gold as after the match—the spiker who lost in two Palarong Pambansa finals—had fans taking turns in asking for selfies and autographs. – Rappler.com