Last night, I had the chance to interview a diehard fan of not only a team but Philippine Volleyball as well. He is probably one of the fans who would often go to The Arena just to watch an incredible volleyball action even if his team has no match for the day.

He is often defined as one of the best analysts around when it comes to the game because of his scientific approach. He may sometimes be biased but most of the time, we will see him appreciating the sport and the players. Not only does he root for a certain team, but he also commends some players who are quite remarkable. We often see him wearing his school colors or expressing his school spirit but most of the time, he would just sit and take down notes on the match being played.

His name is Jan Carlo Gavile or more known as Jannie or JC or Jan Carlo. He is 18 years old and just graduated from Ateneo de Manila High School. Guess what? He will take European Studies at De La Salle University-Manila, his former school’s archrival, in his incoming freshman year. Despite being stout (sorry Jannie! Haha!), he is an athletic person who can beat you in any sport anytime. I, for one, have been a victim of his volleyball and badminton skills. He moderates a site known to fans, vleagueDOTtk, which is celebrating their four years of promoting volleyball in the country.

Jancarlo is not only known as a diehard fan of volleyball but other sports as well like football, basketball, badminton, etc. When asked how many sports in the UAAP does he go to, he mention around 7 out of the 14. Here’s an interview with The Oracle:

How did you become a fan of V-League?
I actually started when I was just browsing channels before. Haha. Walang magawa nun eh kaya ayun found IBC 13. The first volleybelle I saw was Mary Jean Balse. She was serving that time. Eliminations game ata yun and they were up against La Salle. It interested me cause parang may La Salle, may UST tapos there were a lot of people in the Lyceum Gym kaya ayun. Since then, I followed the league na hanggang sa nagkaroon na ng guest players and the addition of PSC, Ateneo, Adamson, etc.

Aside from the website that you are moderating (vleague.tk), what other website/forums have you been active with since I think a lot of basketball and volleyball fans know you as well?
Haha. Nako. Sige na nga. Meron akong mga sinasalihan dati na non-existent na ngayon eh. Marami talaga dati like uaapgames.com, greenarcher.net, atenista.net and pinoyexchange.com. Yang four na yan yung una kong pinagpopostan. Pero among the four, only Pex na lang ang natira. Pero ngayon, ang forums na kasali ako ay animoateneo.com, archerpride.com, ustexchange.com, peyups.com, vleague.tk, v-league.ph, ubelt.com, gameface.ph and sometimes I visit spikeithard.com

It’s quite obvious that you are an Ateneo fan. How do you think the Lady Spikers of Ateneo will fare this conference?
I’m expecting a Final Four finish actually. When they are there na, anything can happen naman eh. As to their predicted rank, it’s very hard to tell eh. Some teams can peak anytime saka knowing V-League, a lot of twists can still happen. But, I’m glad that most of their players are improving.

How about other teams? Any prediction in the Final Four or the semi-finals?
San Sebastian will go all the way in the Final Four. I actually have a feeling that Adamson and Ateneo will have a playoff for the last spot in the Championship. But that’s just me. Haha.

Since we’re done with Ateneo, what can you say about the following teams; Adamson, San Sebastian, San Jose, Saint La Salle, Benilde, Lyceum and FEU?
Ganito na lang. Haha. Lyceum, San Jose and Adamson are all defensive teams. I admire these teams because of their tremendous floor defense but special mention to San Jose who impressed me so much in terms of defense. When it comes to attacking though, these three teams only have a few players in their starting six who really can score. As for Benilde, San Sebastian, Saint La Salle and FEU, these teams are offense-minded. Marami kang makikitang hard hitters from their team.

What can you say about UST and La Salle not joining?
Okay lang. Namimiss ko sila! Naks! Haha.
Wow. What an answer!

What can you say about the ADMU-natics/Charonatics, Tiger Pack and the Gelatins or whatever fan base that is existing right now.
They are fun to be with actually. Some of them are my friends. They are also mayaman. Haha. Nagugulat nga ako. Kapag may birthday, they always give cakes to the players. Haha. Saka bilib ako sa dedication nila. Every game, they make sure na mapapanood nila yun and will cheer for them. Nakakamangha how these people are also helping promote the sport. And, for the other fans na nasa abroad, nakakamangha rin cause like isang araw sa NBN Sports, someone told them na they’re from Los Angeles pa and they are fans of Charo Soriano. Haha. Kaya parang Philippine Volleyball is becoming an addiction na rin.

Which sport do you support more? Basketball or Volleyball?
Same lang naman. Haha. Cause I really make puyat in getting tickets for basketball games sa UAAP. And then, sa volleyball naman, I really devoted my summer to volleyball only. So far, medyo succesful ako. Haha. Medyo lang cause I watched the game of the Blue Eagles one time sa Arena just to see how the team will fare in the coming UAAP.

What can you say about the La Salle vs Ateneo rivalry or Ateneo vs La Salle rivalry (whatever you want to call it!)?
It’s exciting. It’s one thing I can’t live without kumbaga when the game is between these two schools, I always have an attitude of, “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Talagang magpapakamatay ako para lang makakuha ng tickets. Haha. Sa Sports yun. In terms of academics, hmm, pantay lang naman yan. Ateneo and La Salle have their own flaws and things in which they excel in. Kaya tingin ko pantay lang naman.

Since you’re going to study in La Salle and you’re an alumnus of Ateneo, how do you think will it affect your being an Ateneo diehard?
Haha. Hmm. Actually, it would make me more neutral in viewing some things. At least, hindi na ako magiging pro-Ateneo lang. Kumbaga mawawala pagkabiased ko lalo na sa mga reactions and post ko.

Do you have any crush in the volleyball scene?
Meron! Haha. Jed Montero of UP. Haha.

What’s your dream for volleyball here in our country?
Ah. Maging president ako ng volleyball. Joke! Haha. Uhm, I believe what the country needs right now is to adapt how the other countries play volleyball. Napaghuhulihan na kasi tayo. Among all the countries in Asia, halos tayo na lang ata ang textbook volleyball unlike yung iba quick-paced na sila. We just need training and kung pwede, hire foreign coaches. Ako unang magsasabi na sticking to locals is one thing na hindi magiimprove sa volleyball dito. Kasi magkakaroon lang siya ng cycle about how the way we play the sport. Kaya ayun. We really need international adaptation of skills. Saka more tournaments sana! Kung maari, aside from V-League, magkaroon ng professional league like PBA para there’s future for some players.

Aside from moderating vleague.tk, Jan Carlo owns a blog site in multiply, leave a response to this post, or trackback from your own site.