Newly married Michele Gumabao helps Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference qualifying round. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines —Just two days after her wedding, Michele Gumabao was back in action for Creamline Cool Smashers’ playoff bid in the PVL All-Filipino quarterfinals.
Gumabao tied the knot with longtime partner Aldo Panlilio on Tuesday and did not miss a beat when she helped the Cool Smashers to a 25-18, 25-17, 25-17 win over Nxled with an efficient 7-of-15 attacking clip.
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READ; PVL player Michele Gumabao, Aldo Panlilio get married
“I feel like it hasn’t really sunk in yet. We have one more in a few weeks, but after all this time—eight years together—I feel like reaching this point isn’t the finish line, but actually the starting line of something new for us,” Gumabao told the reporters in Filipino.
“I’m excited and looking forward to starting a new chapter in our lives together. We also hope to build a family in a few years.”
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“With the support of everyone around us, especially our families, we want to create a family that’s similar to how we were raised, with the same values and the importance of family. But that’s still a bit far off. For now, we’re focusing on our careers.”
The past months were hectic for Gumabao but she’s grateful to have a very supportive Creamline family, which gave her a memorable send-off before she entered a new chapter in her life.
READ: PVL: MVP Michele Gumabao proves she still has ‘something to show’
“It’s definitely exhausting, and I won’t deny that. There are days when my teammates know I’m not all there during practice. I’m sure Coach sees it too, there are days when I’m completely drained,” she said.
“But I’m thankful because they understand, especially with our early practices and the days when I haven’t slept much. There are times when I have to leave or take a break, and coach is understanding. As long as I’m at practice, I always give my best, and the same goes for the games,” she said.
And to juggle her wedding plans and title quest of Creamline, the Invitational Conference MVP said it’s all about the mindset.
“Every time I’m on the court, I give my best for the team. When I’m off the court, I also give my best in whatever I’m doing. So wherever I am at the moment, I just focus on giving my best, and my team is always there to support me,” Gumabao said.
“Like with the coaches, they don’t pressure me too much. They know that the past few days, with the wedding and all, my schedule has been hectic, and the whole team understands that because we’re one family. I’m really thankful for them.”
Gumabao will tie the knot once more in a Christian wedding with Panlilio.
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“I’m Christian, so we really intended to have a Christian wedding. But then Aldo’s family is Catholic, so they also wanted a Catholic ceremony. So we agreed to have both,” she said.
