Megawati and Gia, from friends in Korea, become opponents in Proliga

Instead of working together to attack their opponents, Megawati and Gia will now compete and try to block each other's blows.

DOKUMENTASI RED SPARKS

Indonesian female volleyball player, Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi, played a toss with American volleyball player, Giovanna "Gia" Milana, while both were strengthening the Korean Volleyball League club, Daejeon Jung Kwan Jang Red Sparks, in October 2023.

The story of Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi's glory in South Korea with Daejeon Jung Kwan Jang Red Sparks cannot be separated from the story of her friendship with fellow foreign player, Giovanna "Gia" Milana. In Indonesia, through the professional volleyball league Proliga 2024, Megawati will meet Gia again. However, they will no longer be duet friends, but opponents who compete with each other with their respective teams.

Friendship with Gia colored Megawati's career journey in the V League or Korean Volleyball League with Red Sparks, October 2023-April 2024. In the early days of their journey, Megawati and Gia strengthened each other so they could adapt smoothly in "Ginseng Country". Their togetherness continued until they both became the backbone of Red Sparks.

South Korean media reported that Megawati and Gia have a good relationship that has pushed for the team's improved performance. A picture of Megawati crying on the field while being hugged by Gia and their interpreter, Kim Yoon Sol, shows the bond. Gia and Sol comforted Megawati who was touched by the Red Sparks' victory over the Pink Spiders after a tight match in November 2023.

Also read: Little by little, Megawati "Megatron" Hangestri is increasingly explosive

Megawati once said that the presence of Gia and Sol helped her overcome difficult times. In an interview with News 1 Korea, Megawati stated that being together with Gia and Sol was one of the keys to her adaptation in Korea. The volleyball player from Jember, East Java, often changes her mood after intense training by chatting in a café with Gia and Sol.

It is not uncommon for Megawati to take walks and culinary trips with Gia and Sol. "This makes me feel more comfortable," said Mega.

DOKUMENTASI DAEJEON JUNG KWAN JANG RED SPARKS

Indonesian volleyball player, Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi (center), is hugged by her translator, Sol, and her teammates from Daejeon Jung Kwan Jang Red Sparks, Giovanna Milana, after defeating the defending champion of the Korean Volleyball League, Pink Spiders, at Incheon Samsan Gymnasium on November 26, 2023.

Gia stated something similar. To Korean media, The Spike, Gia said that Megawati, who is a year younger than her, was considered like her own sister. ”If I'm having a sad or stressful day, Mega always makes me smile, both on and off the field. He is like sunshine, always bringing happiness. "Not only for me, but also for everyone," he said.

Although ultimately failing to lead the Red Sparks to the final match and win the championship title, Megawati and Gia made a brilliant record. Megawati and Gia are in the top 10 list of the highest point scorers. With 35 matches and 132 sets played, Megawati ranks seventh with 736 points. Meanwhile, Gia is in eighth place with 690 points from 34 matches.

Actually, I'm a little sad that I can't be on the same team as Mega. However, I think it will be enjoyable to face each other.

The journey of Megawati and Gia in the Korean Volleyball League this season has indeed ended. However, Megawati and Gia's actions will continue in the 2024 Proliga, a professional volleyball league in Indonesia, which starts on April 25th.

Also read: Megawati's Long Road ”Megatron” Towards Champion in Korea

Megawati and Gia will meet under different circumstances. After becoming friends in the Korean Volleyball League, Megawati and Gia will now become opponents in Proliga. This season, Megawati will strengthen Jakarta BIN, while Gia is recruited to defend Jakarta Pertamina Enduro.

TANGKAPAN LAYAR YOUTUBE RED SPARKS

Indonesian volleyball player, Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi (right), speaks at the Media Day for the Korean Volleyball League, accompanied by translator Sol and her teammate from Daejeon Jung Kwan Jang Red Sparks, Giovanna Milana, in mid-October 2023.

The assistant coach of Jakarta BIN, Labib, said that the recruitment of Megawati is not unrelated to the player's consistency thus far. According to Labib, Megawati's presence will not only add to the team's attacking power but also increase the confidence of her teammates.

"She (Megawati) has started practicing since Friday (12/4/2024). Her presence boosts the team's confidence as if having three foreign players. Two players are truly from abroad, while the other one is local, but has a level like a foreign player due to their experience playing abroad," said Labib, who is also Megawati's coach at Bank Jatim.

Meanwhile, Gia, who arrived in Indonesia on Sunday (14/4/2024), was recruited by Jakarta Pertamina Enduro (JPE) after going through various considerations. Chef de Mission JPE Werry Prayogi said, apart from performance, his party also considered Gia's attitude and fame. "We hope that Gia can make JPE stronger and that she can provide more interesting performances and make Proliga more lively," he said.

Also read: Once Against Megawati Hangestri, Two or Three Islands Are Overcome

Gia herself revealed that her interest in Proliga is not separated from Megawati's influence. Gia often heard stories about Proliga, especially the sense of family in the club and the competition. The 25-year-old player wants to experience what Megawati has been describing.

DOKUMENTASI JAKARTA PERTAMINA ENDURO

American women's volleyball player, Giovanna "Gia" Milana, posed with the management of the Jakarta Pertamina Enduro team of Proliga 2024 upon arriving in Jakarta, Indonesia on Sunday (4/14/2024).

In addition to that, Gia also wants to challenge herself by pursuing a career in Indonesia. After feeling that she has developed in Korea, this United States player thinks that playing in Indonesia will make her continue to grow.

"I am actually a bit sad that I can't be on the same team as Mega. However, I think it will be fun to face each other. I am interested in knowing what it feels like to try to block her hits and for her to try to block mine," said Gia.

As Gia mentioned, it is interesting to see both players who are usually relied upon by the team to attack the opponent, now have to block each other's attacks. This rivalry will make Proliga 2024 even more colorful.