Player Profile Series: Cherry Nunag’s rise beyond the norm

Cherry Rose Nunag, born on October 22, 1992, in the quiet town of Floridablanca, Pampanga, has become a compelling figure in Philippine volleyball—largely because she didn’t follow the traditional route.

In a sporting landscape where most stars emerge from the UAAP or NCAA, Nunag’s rise to prominence has defied expectations and proved that relentless dedication, resilience, and heart can chart a path just as luminous as any mainstream route.

Nunag’s journey began not in front of the spotlight but in relative obscurity. She first took up volleyball in high school, eventually finding her collegiate footing at De La Salle University–Dasmariñas. While many aspiring athletes aim for the prestige of UAAP or NCAA schools, Nunag made her mark in the V-League in 2013 as a member of the De La Salle Lady Patriots.

Her early performances had already hinted at her potential—posting 17 points in a five-set thriller against the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) Lady Engineers and following it up with 11 points versus the powerhouse University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigresses.

Despite these standout performances, her team struggled with back-to-back losses, a tough stretch for a squad that had previously dominated the NCRAA with three championships in four years.

What set Nunag apart was her sheer athleticism and hunger to improve. A 5-foot-10 middle blocker with long arms and explosive lateral movement, she quickly gained a reputation as a net-front force—both offensively and defensively. Her skills blossomed further when she transitioned into the professional scene. 

In 2015, she entered the now-defunct Philippine Superliga (PSL), where she played for title-winning teams like Petron and F2 Logistics. She later made her mark in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), suiting up for clubs such as Petro Gazz and Perlas Pilipinas before finally finding a long-term home with Choco Mucho.

At Choco Mucho, Nunag’s impact was undeniable. She helped lead the team to two consecutive silver-medal finishes in the PVL All-Filipino Conference, both times battling the powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers in the finals. Her contributions extended beyond raw statistics—Nunag brought veteran poise, leadership, and stability to a team filled with rising stars.

But perhaps the most significant chapter in Nunag’s career came in 2024, when she was called up to the national team, Alas Pilipinas.

In doing so, she became part of a historic moment: the first Philippine women’s team to reach the semifinals of an Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC)-sanctioned tournament in over six decades of federation history. 

On a rainy evening at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Nunag made her first start for the national team in a straight-sets victory against Iran. She contributed four points, including three in the opening set that set the tone for the sweep. That win secured a 3-0 slate in Pool A and placed the Philippines just one win away from a complete group-stage sweep. It was a defining moment for both Nunag and the country’s volleyball program.

The significance of that moment stretched beyond medals and rankings—though the Philippines did rise to No. 57 in the FIVB world rankings and No. 9 in Asia. 

It symbolized the triumph of perseverance over pedigree, of grit over glamour. Nunag’s inclusion and performance showed that greatness doesn’t always begin on the grandest collegiate stages—it can also grow quietly, persistently, and bloom when the time is right.

Looking back, Nunag remains deeply grateful for her journey—a path not often taken, filled with setbacks and silence, but ultimately leading to the sport’s biggest stage.

From a hopeful athlete in Floridablanca to a national team middle blocker under the bright lights of international competition, her story is a testament to what’s possible when belief meets opportunity. Cherry Nunag didn’t just make it—she redefined what making it truly means.