National University-Sta. Elena has a new weapon in its arsenal for the 2022 Spikers' Turf Open Conference.
The Nationals unveiled Congolese middle blocker Obed Mukaba in their first game of the tournament on Thursday, a 20-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-12 victory over Army-Katinko at the Paco Arena.
And it was an eventful debut for the 6-foot-6 tower, tallying 13 points, six of which came from blocks.
Mukaba alone out-blocked the whole Troopers squad, 6-5, in a show of defensive prowess.
Despite the impressive display, the 19-year-old foreign student-athlete bared that he got nervous early in the game.
“Me personally I was nervous because it’s my first time to play here in the Philippines,” shared Mukaba.
But he was able to recover just in time, together with the entire NU-Sta. Elena team, to turn back Army-Katinko in four sets, the last two being a rout.
Having the opportunity to play in the Philippines, a country where volleyball is fast-becoming one of the most popular sports, was something Mukaba is thankful for.
“I’m very happy because, in my country, it’s not like this. I’m very happy,” Mukaba said.
Nationals head coach Dante Alinsunurin shared what was his first impression of Mukaba when he first saw him.
And the long-time bench tactician has high hopes and big plans for his new recruit down the line.
“Bata pa naman rin siya, noong kinuha namin siya nakita ko na ‘yung potential niya as a volleyball player na pagdating dito sa Pilipinas, malaki ‘yung maitutulong sa amin hindi lang ngayong taon pero sa susunod na taon pa,” said Alinsunurin, who also coaches the men's national volleyball squad.
“Sana tuloy tuloy lang ‘yung attitude niya during practice na sobrang eager niya matuto lagi.”
