Aerieal Patnongon (center, seated) will return to competitive volleyball with the Creamline Cool Smashers after a two-year lay-off.

MANILA — When the Creamline Cool Smashers were unveiled Sunday night during a simple ceremony at the Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila in Pasig City by Rebisco president Jonathan Ng, one curious addition to the team was former Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagle Aerieal Patnongon.

The 6-foot-1 middle hitter last played competitive volleyball in 2015 when Ateneo secured its second consecutive women’s volleyball crown in the UAAP. Since then, she’s remained in the shadows doing odd jobs while supporting boyfriend June Mar Fajardo’s basketball career.

Fajardo’s San Miguel Beermen played Barangay Ginebra in Game 2 of the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup finals that Sunday, which the Gin Kings won in overtime, 124-118.

Conspicuously missing during the PBA match was Patnongon who instead was at the simple internal unveiling of the Creamline Cool Smashers.

Patnongon revealed that she had to think it several times over before coming out of retirement to play competitive volleyball again.

“The late Arthur Lim (of Rebisco that also sponsors the Ateneo Lady Eagles) kept talking to me to play at least one more time,” said Patnongon. “I have to admit that I didn’t want at first. In my last two seasons, I oft had these injuries including an ankle injury that took close to three months to heal. So I had this phobia.”

“Another concern was my mindset. All my new teammates have been playing non-stop and are all in some shape. I am not. But when Mr. Lim asked again, I finally agreed. As for long term, let’s see.”

How did June Mar feel about his girlfriend coming back to volleyball and teaming up with former teammate Alyssa Valdez?

“I think he’s excited,” laughed Patnongon. “Why let him have all the fun? It would be good for him to watch and come to the games as well.”

“We first met at a volleyball game,” divulged Patnongon. “June Mar’s driver is this big volleyball fan and he joined him one day to watch and he saw one of our matches. That’s how we met.”

Joining Patnongon and Valdez in the Creamline line-up are Coleen Bravo (University of Perpetual Help), Joyce Palad (University of the Philippines), Francesca Racraquin (San Beda College), Ivy Remulla (De La Salle University), Janet Serafica (Adamson University), Pau Soriano (Adamson), and Jamela Suyat (Perpetual Help). Three more players will be added pending the conclusion of the current UAAP volleyball tourney.

The Cool Smashers will make their debut when the new Philippine Volleyball League opens serve after Holy Week this year.