Star athlete close-up Danika Yolanda Gendrauli (volleyball)

 CEBU, Philippines - She's not only endowed with superb athletic skills, but also with a big fighting heart. She has that winning drive that she never backed down from any challenge she's confronted with in the sporting arena. No wonder, the affable Danika Yolanda Gendrauli swiftly etched her name among the most celebrated athletes in Cebu volleyball.

“In every game, you must play to win and not to lose. More importantly, you must play from the heart,” said the 20-year-old star of Southwestern University (SWU) Lady Cobras.

Gendrauli revealed that she hooked up with volleyball when she was still in grade school. She vividly recalled that it was the legendary coach Thelma Datig, a Cebu Sports Hall Famer, who further lighted the flame of her passion to the sport.

“I could still remember when I was nine years old. Coach Thelma Datig gave me a ball to practice. She told me to bounce it on the wall and that’s it. My passion for the game just went on without expecting that in my humble experience, I will achieve something good,” said Gendrauli.

At first, Gendrauli is somewhat 'torn between two lovers' as she also tried basketball upon the constant prodding of his father, who was once a collegiate standout and former commercial player.

“Honestly, I was also thrilled to try basketball because my dad told me that I have a knack for the game. It was just that I was made to choose between the two. In the end, I choose volleyball because that's also what my mom wanted me to pursue," she said.

The 5-foot-8 spiker from Cabancalan, Mandaue City has already collected countless awards in her colorful career.

Aside from steering the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) to multiple championships during her high school days, she also bagged major individual honors in Shakey's G-League, Milo Little Olympics, Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet and the prestigious Palarong Pambansa.

In college, she helped the SWU women's volleyball team to win a rare grandslam title in CESAFI.

Gendrauli also excelled in beach volley. After topping the CESAFI beach volley with partner Lorie May Layno in 2008, she teamed up with Princess Anne Pido to rule the event in last year's University Games (Unigames).

Despite her accomplishments, Gendrauli still points to her studies as her number one priority.

 “Just like everybody else, to study well and to graduate in college is the most important thing a student would aspire. Having a good education could lead us to a better job and eventually to a comfortable life in the future," said Gendrauli. (FREEMAN)