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Fifi Sharma Gets Candid About Her Unexpected Rise

Fifi Sharma never had an interest in volleyball or sports. She had no intention of going professional and preferred a life away from the competitive spotlight. And she’s not afraid of saying it. 

“I never really wanted to do sports as a career because I knew how hard it was on my dad,” Fifi told ALL-STAR. Fifi is the daughter of PBA star Carlo Sharma, who was one of the basketball legends in La Salle. 

As a kid, Fifi envisioned a life away from sports, having witnessed the immense responsibility her father carried as both an athlete and the breadwinner for their family of six.

“I was very artistic when I was a kid. I just wanted to explore different hobbies but I did not want to commit to a sport because I knew how taxing and challenging it would be, emotionally and physically. It would be on me and I didn’t think I was ready for that,” said Fifi. 

However, at 15, Fifi decided to embrace sports for practical reasons: Far Eastern University offered her an athletic scholarship, despite her lack of experience in any sport, including volleyball.

“I’m tall—I realized it would be a waste not to pursue sports. In the end, I did. I played volleyball,” said Fifi. 

Fifi Sharma
Photo: Vyn Radovan for ALL-STAR

“I was just starting out. I didn’t know anything about volleyball! They taught me the basics—setting, serving, passing, spiking—that’s where aI learned everything for the first time, and I was 15.”

After a year at FEU, Fifi transferred to La Salle, which offered a senior high program. La Salle scouted her and decided to develop her potential. They trained potential athletes from high school for the UAAP and other tournaments, which is how Fifi became one of DLSU’s volleyball players.

As she looked back on her career in La Salle, a mix of emotions swelled in her. 

“Much of my college career was a love-hate relationship. The athletes who train every day will never say that they like training or they love playing volleyball. It’s taxing,” admitted Fifi. 

Her candid confessions about college volleyball were eye-opening: Even the most popular sport in UAAP has its drawbacks, and balancing academics with an athletic career is challenging. It can also take a toll on mental health.

Fifi Sharma

“College was super hectic and I was super busy, it was super stressful,” said Fifi. “Emotionally and physically, it’s difficult to do but we do it because at the back of our minds, we think we can’t live without it.”

There was a time in Fifi’s college career when she wasn’t performing well because of all the stress and pressure. And then her dad told her it was okay to quit. 

“My dad told me, ‘Ikaw, if you’re not happy playing the sport that you love, I’m more than happy to just accommodate you at home. You can just study and you don’t have to pursue this if it’s too heavy on you, if it’s making you feel sad…’”

At this point during the interview, Fifi heaved and found it hard to breathe because of the emotional memory. 

Her dad told her, ‘You can just stay at home and I will still love and accept you.’

“After that conversation, weirdly, nag-improve ako nang malala! Because I knew regardless of the results of my games, my dad would always be there to support me and still believe in me,” said Fifi. 

The turning point that made Fifi realize she loves the sport was the pandemic. 

For two years, there were no sporting events in the Philippines because of the pandemic. Gatherings were prohibited, and schools were closed. Fifi couldn’t play volleyball. She couldn’t see her teammates. 

Fifi Sharma
Photo: Vyn Radovan for ALL-STAR

“I was just at home, watching YouTube, eating and rotting myself away,” Fifi told ALL-STAR

That’s when it hit her: she loved volleyball, after all.

“I realized, if there wasn’t any volleyball in my life, what would I do? I wasn’t doing anything else! When they started operations again in the UAAP, I was just so happy playing volleyball because I realized how much I love the sport and how much I would feel empty if I wasn’t pursuing it.”

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When Fifi Sharma turned pro at 22 years old, she did not realize there were precious things she had to give up for her career. 

“There are many sacrifices. It’s beyond your eating habits, and your sleeping habits, it’s beyond sacrificing… friends. Or anything to do with friends!” said Fifi. “That was actually one of the challenges I did not foresee!”

Fifi thought turning pro would be an opportunity to chill and wind down. 

“It was the opposite!” Fifi laughs. 

“It’s an emotional sacrifice for athletes because we have to deal with personal challenges and challenges within the team. And then there would be criticisms from other people from outside who don’t know anything about the sport but feel the need to pitch in and give you instructions.”

Although they don’t react to bashers, it doesn’t mean they are insulated from their toxicity. It’s a lot to handle, and people don’t realize the players are always on the receiving end of high-octane vitriol. 

But Fifi is a fighter. “Suck it up,” she would tell herself. 

“We just have to show people that we are worthy of this spot and that nothing outside can touch us or discourage us from playing the sport we love.”

She would put on her Airpods and immerse herself in sappy songs. 

Fifi’s playlist features two artists on repeat: Up Dharma Down and Lauryn Hill. Their neo-soul sound mirrors the vibe of the 23-year-old volleyball player. Before the interview, she was listening to UDD’s “Unti-Unti,” a staple in her recently played songs. She arrived wearing a classic ’90s ensemble of elephant jeans and a cropped top, paired with bright yellow Converse Run Star Trainer. The neo-classic silhouettes celebrate Converse’s heritage and perfectly encapsulate Fifi’s style.

“They are really nice and comfortable. I love the color, it’s a pop of color that gives that oomph to my outfit,” Fifi describes her Golden Wren Run Star Trainer. The silhouette’s bright yellow color also reflects Fifi’s happiness at the moment. 

Fifi Sharma

After moving to the pro scene, all of the pressure and stress she was experiencing was alleviated. 

“My goals shifted. In the UAAP, I felt the constant need to prove myself, that I deserved my position. But when I went pro, I had nothing to prove. I owe nothing to anyone, I’m just here to play, enjoy, and live my life,” said Fifi. 

“I shifted to a more positive purpose. I find myself happier now playing the sport I love. It’s no longer something I’m scared of doing or something I’m doing just to prove myself. It’s now something I’m doing because I love doing it. That’s the best lesson that I learned turning pro.”

During the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, Fifi achieved an unexpected milestone: she topped the league’s blocking department.

“I was surprised! I wasn’t expecting it. I wasn’t an awardee, but seeing myself at the top of the standings in terms of blocking made me feel very happy because I’ve never achieved that in UAAP. I thought that after leaving college, hanggang doon na lang ako,” Fifi said. 

“I never knew that I could improve more here in the pro scene. It’s all thanks to my coaches,” she added. 

The coaches hammered the middle blocker on bolstering the defense because Fifi was more focused on attacking than blocking. 

“I really owe it to my coaches because they were persistent on me. I was so surprised to see my name on the number one blocker,” said Fifi. 

Things only improved for Fifi from that point onward. She was selected to play for the national team, the Alas Pilipinas, and made history a month later when they clinched bronze in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup. Before that win, the Philippines never had a podium finish in that international tournament. 

“I’m so happy, it’s a feeling that I can’t explain,” Fifi said. 

“My only goal is to improve every day. I don’t aspire to become the best player in the country, or set goals like I have to reach something or play internationally. As long as I feel I deliver, that I am happy and enjoying what I’m doing, that’s when I feel that I excel.”

There was a sense of redemption and joy when Fifi recounted that experience. 

“I actually played for the national team and contributed to that achievement!” Fifi said in disbelief. 

“I look back at all the challenges I went through, all the doubts… I am just so proud of myself for pushing through and overcoming the adversities that came my way.”

That win galvanized her resolve to keep on improving and working harder. 

“That inspired me to push for more. This isn’t enough, I can get more,” said Fifi. 

“Work hard, don’t let anything faze you, and don’t let criticism get in your way, just DGAF.”

Fifi Sharma