By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
One of the most decorated opposite spikers in Philippine volleyball has decided to call it a career.
Suzanne Roces, who last saw action with the Perlas Spikers during the 2021 Premier Volleyball League (PVL), will no longer return in the 2022 season after announcing her retirement from the sport.
“First time ko ia-announce na ngayong 2022 para sa mga naging fans ko, lahat ng coaches at teammates ko, at fans ng Perlas, I’ve decided to retire,” said Roces during Abante Tonite’s Sportalakan.
The former UAAP Season 65 Rookie of the Year surely had one of the most memorable volleyball careers.
Roces first took the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) by storm after getting recruited by the University of the East way back in 2002.
Despite failing to deliver a UAAP championship for UE during her collegiate career, the crafty spiker however helped them win a silver medal during the UAAP Beach Volleyball tournament in Season 69.
Roces would then continue her stellar outing in the semi-pro and pro leagues she joined and won two championships in the Shakey’s V-League when she was acquired by the Ateneo Lady Eagles as a guest player last 2012 and with the PLDT Power Hitters three years after.
Her court knowledge and high IQ helped her earn numerous spots in the Philippine Women’s national team from 2008-2015.
“Gusto ko sana ma-share ko naman ang experiences at talents ko sa mga coaches naman. Gusto ko sana pasukin yung pagiging coaching staff at para kahit papano, ma-inspire ko naman yung magiging players na kasama ko. Sana kung meron,” Roces said.
