After achieving a historic three-peat championship, Lady Blazers’ powerful middle-blocker, Mich Gamit, will start her professional career in the Premier Volleyball League. In an exclusive interview with the Benildean, she looks back on her memorable journey so far. 

A tale of fate and faith 

Mich Gamit was originally a track and field athlete—that is until she was recruited in high school to be part of the volleyball team because of her height. Seizing the opportunity, she started playing volleyball eight years ago and has gone far since then. Gamit shared how grateful she is for the sport as she said, “Nakapag-aral ako because of volleyball.” 

Fate aligned as Lady Blazers Head Coach Jerry Yee was also Gamit’s coach in the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) Manila during her Senior High School years.

Out of the blue, he recruited her to join Benilde’s volleyball team. To which Gamit hesitantly responded with, “Pag-iisipan ko, coach, kasi ‘di ko alam if qualified ako.” Although she was filled with self-doubt due to her lack of experience, she took the leap of faith and grabbed the once in a lifetime opportunity. 

During the start of her collegiate journey, Gamit was not yet the star middle blocker we know today. She fondly looked back on her rookie season and shared, “Sinipagan ko mag-improve para makasabay sa players [ng Benilde] kasi malalakas sila. ‘Pag nakikita ko sila, naa-amaze ako. Nagsipag ako hanggang sa mag-improve.”

When asked about how she embraced the middle-blocker position, she answered, “Nakakatawa kasi [coming from] zero skills sa volleyball, napagdaanan ko lahat ng mga positions maliban nalang sa libero at setter. Mahirap ‘yung tatlo ‘yung tine-train mong position and ‘di mo alam kung saan ka nakafocus.” When Gamit started playing for Benilde, she was eventually converted to a middle-blocker by Coach Yee during her second term. 

Promise fulfilled 

Following a heartbreaking exit in Season 96’s semi finals after losing their twice-to-beat advantage, Gamit promised herself and her teammates that it will never happen again.

After rigorous bubble training during the pandemic, the Lady Blazers’ hunger and determination to win rewarded them with a Season 97 chip against the defending champions, the Arellano University (AU) Lady Chiefs. True enough, they went on to achieve a 40-game winning streak with three straight championships, which Gamit considered the ultimate highlight of her collegiate journey. 

Gamit was not immune from pressure to maintain their winning record, saying, “Yung pressure ‘di naman nawawala ‘yun eh, it’s up to us on how we handle it nalang. [When experiencing pressure], bumabalik lang kami sa basics.” 

Lasting legacy

During her senior year, Gamit took it upon herself to become a leader for the younger Lady Blazers.

“[Gusto ko] maging leader and role model sa mga bata at ipakita sa kanila ‘yung best ko every training and game para ‘yun ‘yung susundin nila. Kailangan nila ng ate na magi-inspire sa kanila na gumawa nang tama,” she shared.

Regarding completing their Season 99 championship run, she claimed, “I can finally officially say na ga-graduate akong champion. Iba ‘yung feeling na ga-graduate kang champion, na na-fulfill mo ‘yung part mo sa team and school. It’s the legacy na iiwan mo sa school. Actually nga, magpapa-frame pa ako ng jersey ko for memories lang din.”

When asked how she would like to be remembered, she gave a simple yet heartfelt answer, “As Mich, kung ano ‘yung nakilala nilang Mich na naglalaro since Season 97. Bilang isang player na nagwork hard para mag-improve and manalo.” 

Forward and onward

Gamit will move forward in her volleyball career under Zus Coffee in the Premier Volleyball League with familiar faces—the other graduating Lady Blazers and Coach Jerry. 

When asked about entering the pros with her teammates, she responded, “Sobrang saya kasi kilala ko na sila. Knowing na si Cloanne pa rin ‘yung magiging setter ko and [kasama ko pa rin] sila Gayle and Jade. [Comforting] na magkakasama kami sa isang team. Kay Coach Jerry, alam na namin ‘yung sistema niya. ‘Yung kailangan ay ‘yung pag-adjust sa pagiging professional and next-level [na team].”

Gamit shared her goals for her professional career as well, “Yung mga nilo-look forward ko is improvement pa rin kasi hindi naman ‘yun natatapos. Gusto kong matuto ng new skills na ‘di ko pa ganon kagamay and also new knowledge sa volleyball. [Excited din akong] makapaglaro sa court kaharap ‘yung mga professional veterans ng PVL.” 

When asked about the possibility of being teammates with former De La Salle University Lady Spiker star, Thea Gagate, she answered, “Excited kasi mas makakatulong siya sa team in terms of blocking and attacking. Knowing [that we’ll play in a] professional league, mas ibang level ‘yung mga attacks so magiging big help si Thea.”

Gamit is living proof that faith, passion, and commitment goes a long way. She did not only help cement the Lady Blazers in history, but also secured a place in the hearts of her teammates and the Benildean community. Her impressive collegiate career is only the beginning of a bright and promising future that we are all looking forward to witnessing.