ANG LIBERO

Saturday, May 9, 2015

TIN AGNO TROLLS

PHILIPPINES vs IRAN

1st Asian Under-23 Women's Volleyball

Source: https://vine.co/v/embA2uXdniU

AGNO TO CRITICS: ‘HINDI NILA ALAM GAANO KAHIRAP MAGLARO SA LOOB NG COURT’

By Norman Riego

ABS-CBN SPORTS

May 07, 2015 10:58 PM

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Source: http://sports.abs-cbn.com/volleyball/news/2015/05/07/agno-critics-hindi-nila-alam-gaano-kahirap-sa-loob-2041

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IN HER SHOES. Tin Agno and the rest of the Philippine team called out the critics slamming the libero's performance by saying they did not now how difficult international volleyball was.

Philippine libero Tin Agno had a simple message to the critics who have been slamming her performance in the inaugural Asian Volleyball Confederation Championship: I am not playing for you.

Some Filipino volleyball fans have taken to social media to point out that Agno and her floor defense were the reasons why the Philippines failed to notch another win after their breakthrough against Kazakhstan.

Talking about her the critics, Agno told ABS-CBN Sports, “Opinion nila yun, hindi ko na hawak yun.”

She then confidently added, “Hindi naman ako naglalaro para sa kanila. Naglalaro ako para sa team na dala ko, sa bansa, sa family ko, at saka sa mga taong sumusporta sakin.”

The Philippine libero admitted that she was downed by the comments at first, but just turned all the hate into points to improve on. “Yung previous games at yung sinasabi nila, yun ang makakapagpatapang sakin sa mga susunod na laro namin,” she said.

Agno then reminded everyone that she, along with her national teammates, was playing on the international stage for the first time. “Hindi ‘to basta-bastang liga lang, world-class na ‘to. Mas advanced yung training nila at sabihin na nating yung skils and height nila, nakakaangat,” she said.

The former FEU standout also shared that the support of her teammates and coaches have boosted her morale. “Sinasabi (ng coaches), sila, magaling lang magsalita, pero hindi naman alam kung gaano talaga kahirap maglaro sa loob ng court,” she said.

Coach Roger Gorayeb, in an earlier interview, voiced out the same sentiments as his libero. “Si Tin kasi, masyadong na-judge. Nagkamali lang ng isang laro yung bata, para bang hinusgahan na siyang parang habang-buhay na siyang ganun,” he said.

Gorayeb then exalted Agno’s heart instead of focusing on the errors she needs to work on. “Kung mahina ang loob ng batang yun, ‘di na maglalaro ngayon yun. Sinusuportahan namin siya kasi wala na kaming mahihiling,” he said.

Friday, May 8, 2015

PH teammates, coach rally around Tin Agno amid hail of criticism on social media

Instead of firing back at her detractors, Tin Agno says she finds strength and motivation from the encouraging words of her coaches and temmates in the Philippine Under-23 team. Dante Peralta

From: Reuben Terrado and Mei-Lin Lozada

SPIN.PH

May 7, 2015, 09:40 pm

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Source: http://www.spin.ph/volleyball/news/tin-agno-roger-gorayeb-negative-comments-support-poor-play-pre-judged-asian-u23-womens-volleyball-championship

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THE Philippine team led by Roger Gorayeb has rallied around libero Tin Agno, who has come under fire on Twitter and other social media networks for her performance in the Asian Under-23 Women's Volleyball Championship.

Agno has become a trending topic for the wrong reason on Twitter, receiving bad and sometimes rude comments about her supposed poor play for the hosts in a team where she is part of the starting six.

But Gorayeb was quick to defend the Far Eastern University star, saying she was 'prejudged' for her early struggle in the tournament.

“Si Tin kasi, masyadong na-prejudged ‘yung laro ng bata na para bang hinusgahan na siya na habang buhay nang ganun ang laro niya,” said the outspoken national head coach.

“Kung mahina ang loob niya, hindi na maglalaro ‘yun, magtatago na ‘yun,” Gorayeb said.

Gorayeb reiterated his support for Agno, insisting that the libero is playing well in the tournament. He also advised the player not to mind the criticism.

“Sabi ko, ‘wag niya isipin ‘yung mga sinasabi ng iba. Maganda ‘yung linalaro niya. Nakaka-recover na siya. Wala na kaming hihilingin pa,” Gorayeb said.

Agno also shrugged off the brickbats.

“Hindi naman ako naglalaro para sa kanila eh, sa mga taong hindi naniniwala. Nandyan na ‘yan eh," she said. "Kapag naglalaro ka, may mga taong maniniwala at hindi maniniwala sayo. So ako naglalaro ako para sa team, sa dala-dala kong team, sa bayan ko, sa family ko, at sa mga taong naniniwala sa akin.”

Instead of firing back at her detractors, Agno said she finds strength and motivation from the encouraging words of his coaches and teammates.

“Opinion nila ‘yun, sa kanila ‘yun,” Agno said. “Sabi nga ng mga teammates ko at ng mga coaches ko, hindi lahat ng tao kaya mong i-please. ‘Yung sinasabi nila is outside of your control na.

“Sinasabi nila na i-prove ko na mali sila, pero ako kasi ilalaro ko lang ‘yung laro ko. Sabi nga ng mga coaches ko, kapag na-feel mo sa sarili mo na nabigay mo ‘yung 100 percent mo, wala ka dapat ika-down kasi hindi lang naman ikaw ang player sa court though malaking factor ako (kasi) ako ang nagre-receive.

“Hindi naman kasi ito biro na liga, hindi ito birong team na ka-level lang namin. Mas advanced sila, ‘yung height nila, ‘yung skills nila talaga ano, para sa akin lessons ‘yung previous games namin,” Agno said.

THE WARRIOR INSIDE TIN AGNO

Written by: Joaqui Flores

TIEBREAKER TIMES

2015/05/08 7:52 PM

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Source: http://tiebreakertimes.com/tbt/warrior-inside-tin-agno/23802

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Perhaps one of the toughest positions to play in volleyball is being the Libero. Being tasked to be the team’s last line of defense against the opposition’s main guns, the Libero spot is usually reserved for the squad’s toughest nut.

In her U23 AVC campaign so far, it has been an up and down ride for Tin Agno given that it is her first time to take her talents to the international stage. But setting aside all the jitters and jeers, she is more than thankful to be representing the country’s U23 Women’s Volleyball Team.

“Ako, sobrang thankful na nakapaglaro ako dito. Ito ang pinaka-first time ko, since nagstart akong maglaro, na sumali dito,” Agno told Tiebreaker Times.

However, considering how inexperienced the Filipino volleyball players are despite their great performances at the local leagues, Agno felt the pressure and had a rough ride to start the international tournament. In their game against Iran, she struggled mightily with Iran’s strategic serves, but she would bounce back with a better performance in the Philippines’ lone win against Kazakhstan.

Everyone expected that trend to continue but Agno once again felt the pressure and eventually struggled against Asian powerhouses like Japan, Taipei and most recently, China.

Known for being one of the most passionate fans when it comes to supporting their local teams, we Filipinos are always quick to backlash against our athletes if they have underwhelming performances. And for the past days, Agno fell prey to it.

“Sobrang bigat [ng pressure] kasi hindi na school ang dala mo at hindi basta isang liga lang,” Agno added. “International na ito at siyempre kung compare naman siya sa akin na walang experience pa, nandoon ang pressure na ikaw lang mag-isa ‘yung Libero tapos hindi pa biro ‘yung kalaban.”

Eventually, the critics got into her head which affected her performance inside the court. She felt that with just one mishap and the crowd will antagonize her; but if she gets things straight, Agno instantly becomes the hero.

Despite all those problems that bombarded her and really put a dent in her morale, Agno luckily has her teammates and close friends to pull her up in times of need.

“May times na bumigay na talaga ako pero hindi ako binitawan ng coaches, teammates [ko sa U23 team], teammates ko sa Army at teammates ko sa FEU. Iyong family ko hindi din nila ako binitawan. Sobrang chinicheer-up nila ako at minomotivate,” Agno added. “Kapag sinasabi ng mga team mates ko at sina Coach Roger na nandito lang kami at nasa likod mo kami at wag kang mapressure. Doon ko nakuha ang confidence ko uli para lumaban.”

Now, knowing that her colleagues will have her back until the tournament ends, Agno will just continue facing the giants and give it her all. With the country’s love for volleyball stronger than before, Agno can only hope for the best in bringing pride to her motherland.

“Ikaw na ang nakataya diyan. Take the opportunity na wala nang urungan at kailangan matapang ka para sa team mo at para sa bansa na dinadala mo,” Agno ended.