She said that she has already gave all she has got for the sport and without “what ifs” on her mind.
In a lengthy social media post on Wednesday, September 16, Philippine volleyball star Aby Maraño shared a major life update to her fans and the wider public.
The 33-year-old opened her post by saying: “Some goodbyes hurt more than others. And this one…hurts more than I ever imagined.”
She then dropped the major news: “Today, with a heart that is both incredibly heavy and incredibly grateful, I am announcing my retirement from professional volleyball.“
Maraño then noted that it was not an “overnight decision” for her, adding: “For 22 years, ito ang mundo ko. At matagal ko nang alam na darating ang araw na kailangan kong isara ang kabanata bilang propesyunal na manlalaro ng balibol sa bansa.”
Aby also described that her decision to retire is more painful than breaking up with another person.
“Mas masakit pa to sa pakikipagbreak sa tao, sobrang sakit. Hindi ko alam kung saan ilalagay yung sakit.”
However, she told that when the moment finally came for her to make the decision of letting go, “somewhere between the tears and the sadness, may isang bagay akong naramdaman na hindi ko rin ine-expect: KAPAYAPAAN.”
“Ready na ako. Hindi dahil hindi ko na mahal ang volleyball. Hindi dahil hindi ko na kayang maglaro. But because after 22 years, alam kong naibigay ko na ang lahat. Wala na akong hinahabol pa sa karera ko. Nasulit ko na. Naibuhos ko na. At higit sa lahat, wala akong ‘what ifs’,’ she added.
“BINUHOS KO LAHAT. LAHAT. LAHAT,” Aby stressed.
She then expressed her gratitude to everyone who has been part of her 22-year-journey in the sport, including her family, coaches, teammates, opponents, friends, supporters.
“[M]araming, maraming salamat. Salamat sa bawat cheer, sa bawat kritisismo, sa mahihigpit na yakap, sa lahat ng mga aral, sa bawat ‘Aby, kaya mo ‘yan.’ At sa bawat pagkakataong naniwala kayo sa akin. Kayo ang kasama kong sumulat ng kwentong ito. And what a beautiful, crazy, painful, unforgettable story it has been,” she said.
Aby also shared a message for her younger self, specifically to the one who first played volleyball and, two decades later, become the person that she is today.
“At para naman sa batang si Aby na unang humawak ng bola ng volleyball 22 years ago… Look at you. You made it. Nakapaglaro ka para sa Pilipinas. Nasuot mo ang jersey na minsan pinapangarap mo lang. Naging team captain ka. Naging inspirasyon ka ng ibang tao. Nakipaglaban ka sa mga laban na hindi mo akalaing malalampasan mo. Nadapa ka. Umiyak ka. Bumangon ka. At higit sa lahat, ibinigay mo ang lahat.“
And now, she said, the little girl can now slow down and take a rest. “Kaya ngayon, little girl… you can rest. You did enough. You were enough. And finally all is well now,” Aby furthered.
But the biggest “thank you” she gave is to the sport itself.
“Thank you, volleyball. Thank you for the most beautiful 22 years of my life as a player. And now, with a grateful heart, no regrets, and so much excitement for what lies ahead. It’s time to turn the page to the next chapter,” Aby added, who signed off as the one-and-only “Tyang Aby.”
Among that sent their messages to her in the replies section of the post include Kianna Dy, Bea De Leon, Denden Lazaro, Ponggay Gaston, Dawn Catindig, Kalei Mau, Julia Coronel, and many others.
