Five years ago, Vince Himzon travelled from Laguna to Colegio de San Juan de Letran for the sole purpose of trying out for the school's juniors basketball team after having played hoops for most of his childhood.
But when that didn't pan out, he was recruited to join Letran's high school volleyball program — where he fell completely in love with his new sport.
"Hindi talaga ako marunong mag-volleyball, dito lang po ako lumakas sa Letran. Basketball po ako before," Himzon shared with GMA News Online.
[I didn't know how to play volleyball before, it was only here that I became good. Basketball was my sport before.]
Himzon idolized NBA star Kyrie Irving, one of the most skilled guards of his generation, and even played in 'ligang libas' games as a point guard.
But fate — and his athletic talent — led him to Letran's junior volleyball team before moving up the seniors squad in the NCAA.
"Marami kasi akong alam na sports ang tingin ko kaya ko naman i-master lahat if gugustuhin ko talaga. Pero napamahal na talaga ako sa volleyball eh. Ito na po 'yung gusto ko talaga."
[I knew a lot sports and I think that I can master a lot of them if I really wanted. But I really fell in love with volleyball. This is what I really want to play.]
Even though his initial plan didn't come to fruition, things have worked out pretty well for Himzon.
The 6-foot-2 middle blocker is now the face of the Letran Knights in the NCAA men's volleyball tournament, emerging as the squad's top scorer after the elimination round with a total of 160 points, as they entered the Final Four.
The 21-year-old ace is also the league's second best spiker behind reigning MVP Louie Ramirez of defending champion Perpetual while he currently ranks fourth in the blocking department.
Himzon, the Season 98 Rookie of the Year and Best Middle Blocker, has also shown his talent outside of the NCAA.
During the 2023 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference, Himzon made history by being named the MVP, a first for any middle blocker in the league while also copping the 2nd Best Middle Blocker plum after leading the Letran Saints Spikers.
Himzon credits the guidance of juniors and seniors head coach Brian Esquibel, under whom he learned the ins and outs of the game.
"Dito lang ako talaga natuto ng lahat ng meron ako ngayon. Si Coach Bri lang po nagturo sa akin. Dito rin po ako nag-juniors volleyball eh," he shared.
[This is where I learned everything I know now. Coach Bri is the one who taught me. This is where I started, playing juniors volleyball.]
Himzon and the Knights will look to book a finals spot when they take on second-seeded Emilio Aguinaldo College on Wednesday in the second round of the stepladder semifinals.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
