MEET the true Joys in women’s basketball—Love Joy, Lyla Joy and Leah Joy Sto. Domingo from Sto. Nino in Marikina.
The eldest, Love Joy, 19, plays for the University of the East women’s team.
In her four-year stint under Coach Ai Lebornio, she has already made a name for herself, winning the Rookie of the Year award four years ago and late last year, got herself an early birthday and Christmas gift as she was selected in the UAAP’s Mythical Five, together with National University’s trio of MVP Afril Bernardino, finals’ MVP Gemma Miranda, and Jack Danielle Animam, together with De La Salle University’s Mary Snow Penaranda.
Not bad at all for someone, who wanted to play collegiate basketball to earn a free education for any team for as long as gets a chance to play the game she has been playing since she was in her elementary years. After all, right beside her house is a basketball court.
But then again, after winning the top rookie honors, she began dreaming of playing for the national team.
And with her selection as one of the best in UAAP’s women’s basketball, a stint with the Perlas Team is a great possibility for her.
Fact is, according to her, Coach Ai informed her that she will be getting an invitation to try out with the national squad and perhaps realize her dream within this year.
But first things first. She wants to help the Lady Warriors in their bid to win the UAAP crown.
“This is my biggest dream--to win the UAAP. Last year, we fell short after losing to De La Salle in the semifinals. We were so disappointed as we prepared hard for that game, but in the actual game, hindi lumabas ‘yung game namin. This year, malaki chance namin to reach the finals, paghihirapan namin talaga ito,” said Love Joy, who used to play in inter-barangay tournaments in Marikina during her high school years.
What Love Joy did not realize was that her making it in the UAAP stirred the interest of her two younger sisters, Leah Joy and and Lyla Joy, who took turns watching their “ate” whenever UE played a game in the UAAP.
Leah Joy, 15, a Grade 10 student at the De La Pena High School in Marikina, was into basketball first before she shifted to volleyball, then back to basketball after seeing Love Joy make a name for herself in the game.
“Si ate, 100 percent effort palagi sa laro. Bilib ako sa inside game niya, at alam ko, kaya ko siyang sundan sa basketball, iba lang nga ang ipapakita ko kasi mag-kaiba posisyon namin sa loob,” said Leah Joy, who has already seen action in inter barangay and inter-district meets.
For her part, Lyla Joy, the youngest at 13 and presently an 8th grader at the Sto. Nino High School, was into badminton first, but was influenced too by Love Joy’s success in basketball.
“Parang mas unique ‘yung basketball kaysa sa badminton, lalo na nu’ng nakita ko si ate na naglalaro sa UAAP. Namo-motivate niya ako every time I watch her play, kahit di pa ako ganu’n kagaling, alam ko, aabot din ako sa ganu’n,” said Lyla Joy.
Being the eldest, Love Joy has taken it as her responsibility to teach her two younger siblings what she has learned over the years.
“I am happy that both of them have decided to follow me in basketball. They even want to go to UE when they reach college. But on my part, I know I still need to improve my game especially dribbling,” said Love Joy.
Coach Ai is impressed with the attitude of Love Joy inside the game as she tries to get every rebound she can. (Love Joy is averaging double -double in rebounds and points in the UAAP).
“Hinahabol talaga ang bola and she is very willing to learn, maganda ang attitude,” said Coach Ai of her prized player, a graduating HRM student next school year.
