The Sideline Story: Ateneo’s Hora, Lomocso Find Meaning From The Bench
From the outside looking in, being a student-athlete is as cool as it gets. You build bonds in the locker room. You hear the drums every game day. Fans line up before and after games for photos.
But the cold truth is that not everyone gets the same minutes on the floor. Some are destined to stay on the bench.
To better understand this reality, All-Star Magazine spoke with two members of the Ateneo Blue Eagles Women’s Volleyball Team in UAAP Season 88: outside spiker Gena Hora and setter Liz Lomocso.
Views From The Sidelines
With Ateneo’s Season 88 campaign now concluded, the Blue Eagles endured a rough season, finishing with just two wins in 12 matches—both against the UE Lady Red Warriors on March 14 and April 18.
But on the bench, regardless of the scoreboard, Lomocso and Hora do what they can to keep morale up.
“For me, I think it has a major impact. If it were me out there on the floor, and I saw my teammates still urging us on? How can I not be motivated to do my best? When the bench is silent, we know it will affect their performance. So, we took it upon ourselves to still be useful to the team, even if we’re not playing,” Lomocso said.
The 24-year-old shared similar thoughts, especially in her role as a sideline coach.
“We see everything, to be fair. What we’re doing right and wrong, how the opponent moves, all the little things. We try to call out what we see and hope our teammates hear us. No shame—we wish we could be out there,” Hora added.
“That’s the only concrete thing we can do to help our squad off the bench. Liz and I have rarely gotten playing time this season, so we just try to bring in good vibes.”
From Promise to Role Change
Hora and Lomocso entered Ateneo as highly regarded additions ahead of Season 85. Hora was seen as a potential “magic bunot” because of her rarity as a lefty hitter. Lomocso, meanwhile, was viewed as a high-upside setter expected to continue Ateneo’s tradition of strong playmakers.
Before Season 86, a year after Lomocso’s impressive rookie run and Hora’s residency year, new head coach Sergio Veloso took over.
At the time, both believed they were still on the same trajectory. But as in most sports, things changed.
They gradually shifted into different roles. While difficult to accept, the transition made them fan favorites among Ateneo supporters. Their energy on the sidelines became one of the few bright spots in an otherwise tough season.
“We want to help our team in any way we can. If that means embracing this role, so be it. If it helps us improve, we’re willing to do it. No questions asked,” Hora said.
Practice Makes Perfect (Or Does It?)
Taking a go-with-the-flow mindset has helped both players cope. But the reality hits hardest in training.
Both admitted that practice can be bittersweet. They train just as hard as their teammates, knowing they may not see game time.
Lomocso shared that there were moments when her efforts felt wasted, especially without enough opportunities to showcase her skills in games. Still, she continues to give her best while pursuing a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
“Being a student-athlete is my only opportunity to be here in Ateneo. My parents can’t afford to send me here, so my scholarship means everything. I also want to go pro, and showing up to training now helps prepare me for that,” the San Carlos, Negros Occidental native said.
On the other hand, Hora remains steady in her approach.
“I am who I am. I still give 100 percent—and more—in training. I want my teammates and coaches to trust me enough in practice. Hopefully, that leads to a chance when it’s game time,” she said.
Optimism As The Only Option
Hora and Lomocso, who both represented Ateneo in Season 87 beach volleyball, are far from the first athletes to face this situation. Still, that doesn’t make it easier.
These are players chasing careers in their sport. A shift in role will always affect how they feel about the game.
With Season 89 set to be her final year of playing, Hora admits she sometimes feels time slipping away.
“I think it’s 60-40, leaning toward losing my passion. I can’t help but ask, ‘Why do I still train when I rarely get to play?’ But I still love the game. My family keeps me going. They believe in me, and I want to honor that,” she said.
Lomocso, meanwhile, still has two years of eligibility left. Her motivation remains clear.
“I want to go pro—that’s my goal. It’s one of the few things keeping me going. I know I have the skills. At the same time, I want to finish my degree and maximize my eligibility,” she shared.
Value Beyond the Court
While the results didn’t go their way this season, bench players remain integral to any team. They are the unsung heroes who push their teammates to perform.
Fans may question why they stay on the roster. But more often than not, these players are simply in situations beyond their control. A lack of playing time does not define their skill.
Hora and Lomocso are proof of that. They wouldn’t have made the team otherwise.
All they—and many others like them—want is a chance to show what they can do on the UAAP’s biggest stage.
