Published May 19, 2025 7:07pm
Updated May 19, 2025 7:07pm
Once upon a time, Anfernee Curamen was tasked with patrolling the floor defense as a libero. Today, he’s dominating the net as a middle blocker for Arellano University in the NCAA Season 100 men’s volleyball tournament.
The 25-year-old net protector shared that his former trainer, Jetro Baldonado, had him try various positions and he ended up playing as a libero back in high school given his height, which he said wasn’t really tailored for a spiker at the time.
By 2016, when they were about to join that year’s Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA), he was converted to middle blocker after growing a 6-foot frame.
Since then, Curamen has fully embraced the role as he now emerges as one of the leading blockers in the league.
“Kung saan-saan (na volleyball positions) kasi ako dinadala ng trainer namin no’n si Kuya Jetro, wala talaga akong ma-pwestuhan,” Curamen told GMA News Online.
“Naglaro ako third year high school, libero pa ako no’n kasi maliit pa ako no’n e. Bigla na lang akong lumaki, 6-foot flat. Mga 5’6″ lang ako nu’ng libero ako tapos bigla akong lumaki.”
[I was played at different positions by our trainer Kuya Jetro, I couldn’t find one that I could stick to… I was playing in third year high school, I was libero then because I was still small. Then suddenly I grew tall, 6-foot flat. I was only 5’6″ when I was a libero then I suddenly grew tall.]
With the help of his former high school coach Joy Clark, Curamen eventually found his way in Arellano and would catch the attention of Sherwin Meneses, who previously handled the Chiefs before stepping down this year.
Curamen’s skills only sharpened while under Arellano’s volleyball program ever since 2019.
He proved just that on Sunday against no less than four-time defending champion University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, going off with seven blocks to finish with 13 points and help Arellano pull off a 25-16, 28-26, 25-20 victory.
Curamen is currently the third-best middle blocker this season with a total of 41 rejections so far, trailing Vince Himzon of Letran (45) and Alener Munsing of San Beda (43).
“Dahil kay Ma’am Joy, tinulungan niya akong makapunta sa Arellano. Siya ‘yung coach namin nu’ng high school ako tapos isang taon ako sa Arellano ng Grade 12 then ginamit ako ni Coach Marlo (Estacio) tapos pagka-graduate ko hinawakan na ako ni Coach Sherwin and ni Coach Bryan (Vitug),” he added.
[Because of Ma’am Joy, she helped me get to Arellano. She was our coach in high school then I had a year in Arellano in Grade 12 then I got playing time from Coach Marlo. After I graduated I was handled by Coach Sherwin and Coach Bryan Vitug.]
But while he’s flourishing individually, Curamen stressed his sights are set on helping Arelleno win its first-ever men’s volleyball championship.
“Gusto ko lang talaga ng championship. Gusto ko talagang makuha ‘yung trophy na ‘to kasi last year na eh, bibigay na talaga lahat. Hindi na talaga namin bibitawan ‘yung chance namin ngayon, ilalaban talaga namin hanggang dulo.”
[I just really want to win a championship. I really want to get the trophy because this is my last year, I’ll give it my all. We will not let this chance slip away, we’ll fight until the end.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News