Ara Galang facts for kids

Victonara "Ara" Salas Galang (born January 4, 1995) is a super talented Filipino volleyball player. She has won many awards! When she was just starting in the UAAP (a big college sports league), she was named Rookie of the Year and Best Server in Season 74. The very next year, in Season 75, she was even named the Most Valuable Player! Ara used to be the team captain for the De La Salle University Lady Spikers from 2014 to 2015.

Ara's Volleyball Journey

Starting Out in Volleyball

Ara Galang was first noticed by Ramil de Jesus, the head coach for the DLSU Lady Spikers. This happened during one of her games in the Shakey's V-League girls division back in 2009. At that time, she was a junior high school student at Angeles University Foundation. She played for the AUF Great Danes team from 2007 to 2011. In 2011, she even won the Best Attacker award in the Shakey's Girls Volleyball League.

School Achievements

Ara wasn't just great at sports; she was also a fantastic student! In elementary school at Holy Family Academy, she received a Sports Achievement Award and was the Class Valedictorian. In high school at Angeles University Foundation High School, she was named Athlete of the Year and Class Valedictorian again. When she went to De La Salle University, she was always on the Dean's List for her excellent grades. She also won the Best Server award at the Palarong Pambansa in 2011, which is a national sports event in the Philippines.

College Success with DLSU

In 2011, Ara joined the DLSU Lady Spikers. Her team was trying to win their championship title for the 74th season of the UAAP women's volleyball tournament. She played alongside other great players like Cha Cruz, Michele Gumabao, and Aby Maraño. They successfully defended their title and became champions for the second time in a row! In that season, Ara also earned the Best Server award and was named Rookie of the Year. The next year, in 2012, she was awarded Best Attacker in the PVF Intercollegiate Volleyball Championship.

MVP and Challenges

The following season, in UAAP Season 75, Ara Galang was named Most Valuable Player (MVP). She shared this award with Aby Maraño. This was a big deal because her team won their third championship in a row!

In Season 76, the DLSU Lady Spikers lost to the ADMU Lady Eagles. They finished as the league's first runner-up. Ara was still amazing, winning Best Attacker during the 2014 Philippine National Games.

She became the team captain for the Lady Spikers in Season 77. She led her team to a great record, winning 10 out of 12 games in the elimination round. She was also a top player for the MVP title that season, competing with Alyssa Valdez.

Overcoming Injury

On March 7, 2015, Ara faced a tough challenge. She got a serious injury during a crucial match, tearing her ACL and MCL ligaments in her knee. This meant she couldn't play with her team in the Finals against the Ateneo Lady Eagles. Even without her, her team still finished as the first runner-up. In the same season, Ara, along with Kim Fajardo and Cyd Demecillo, also finished as first runner-up in the beach volleyball tournament.

Ara made an amazing comeback in UAAP Season 78. She and her teammates defeated the Ateneo Lady Eagles, winning the UAAP Season 78 women's volleyball tournament championship! This was her final year playing in the UAAP.

Professional Career

After college, Ara started her professional volleyball career in the Philippine Super Liga. She was the very first player chosen in the draft for the 2016 season by the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers team. While playing with F2 Logistics, she won the Second Best Outside Spiker award in the 2017 PSL All-Filipino Conference.

Clubs

• F2 Logistics Cargo Movers (2016–2023)
• Chery Tiggo Crossovers (2024–present)

Awards

Individuals

• 2011 Palarong Pambansa "Best server"
• 2011 Shakey's Girls Volleyball League "Best attacker"
• 2012 PVF Intercollegiate Volleyball Championship "Best attacker"
• 2014 Unigames "Most Valuable Player"
• 2014 POC-PSC Philippine National Games Women's Volleyball "Best attacker"
• UAAP Season 74 "Rookie of the Year"
• UAAP Season 74 "Best server"
• UAAP Season 75 "Most valuable player"
• 2016 PSL All-Filipino "1st Best Outside Spiker"
• 2017 PSL All-Filipino "2nd Best Outside Spiker"
• 2018 PSL Invitational “Most Valuable Player”
• 2019 PSL Grand Prix "1st Best Outside Spiker (local)"

Collegiate

• 2012 PVF Intercollegiate Volleyball Championship - Champions, with DLSU Lady Spikers
• 2014 POC-PSC Philippine National Games Women's Volleyball - Silver medal, with DLSU Lady Spikers
• UAAP Season 74 volleyball tournaments - Champions, with DLSU Lady Spikers
• UAAP Season 75 volleyball tournaments - Champions, with DLSU Lady Spikers
• UAAP Season 76 volleyball tournaments - Silver medal, with DLSU Lady Spikers
• UAAP Season 77 volleyball tournaments - Silver medal, with DLSU Lady Spikers
• UAAP Season 78 volleyball tournaments - Champions, with DLSU Lady Spikers

Clubs

• 2016 PSL All-Filipino - Champions, with F2 Logistics Cargo Movers
• 2016 PSL Grand Prix - Bronze medal, with F2 Logistics Cargo Movers
• 2017 PSL All-Filipino - Silver medal, with F2 Logistics Cargo Movers
• 2017 PSL Grand Prix Conference - Champions, with F2 Logistics Cargo Movers
• 2018 PSL Grand Prix Conference - Silver medal, with F2 Logistics Cargo Movers
• 2018 PSL Invitational - Champions, with F2 Logistics Cargo Movers
• 2018 PSL All-Filipino Conference - Silver medal, with F2 Logistics Cargo Movers
• 2019 PSL Grand Prix - Silver medal, with F2 Logistics Cargo Movers
• 2019 PSL All-Filipino Conference - Champions, with F2 Logistics Cargo Movers
• 2024 PNVF Champions League (Women) – Bronze medal, with Chery Tiggo Crossovers