Brazil volleyball star Leila Barros to return to the Philippines

In 1995, Michael Jordan electrified the sports world with a fax message with two words: “I’m back.” 

Twenty-one years later, Brazilian volleyball player Erica Adachi sent shockwaves throughout Manila when she tweeted, “Leila Barros and I are planning something in the PH after the Olympic Games!” 

Before the Philippines discovered Brazilian Formula 1 drivers, MMA fighters, and supermodels, there were the football players led by the eternal Pele, and then… Leila Barros. 

Barros led Brazil women’s national team to a bronze finish in the FIVB Grand Prix held in Manila in August of 2000. The 5-foot-10 opposite hitter was a crowd darling (an understatement, if there was ever one) and along with the other national teams participating in the tournament, helped galvanize the sport of volleyball, inspiring a generation of local volleybelles. 

Adachi is the second most popular Brazilian volleyball player to have played in Manila. She was Petron Blaze’s setter when the team won the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix in 2014 and led it to a second place finish in the 2015 edition.

Very recently, she took part in her first beach volleyball competition in the Beach Volleyball Republic Invitational Tour alongside Rupia Inck. 

After watching her BVR friends in Shakey’s V-League side Bali Pure battle the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons in a thrilling 5-set win, Adachi took time to explain her tweet.

“When I first arrived in Manila, as soon as people found out that I am Brazilian, they asked me questions like, ‘Do you know Leila Barros? What is she doing now?’ That was like music to my ears. In Brazil, she is a very important player for us. But it is just as incredible to know that she can change volleyball in another country on the far side of the globe.

“Before I accepted the offer to play volleyball for the PSL, I asked my dad for advice and he said, ‘Did you know that Leila Barros was big in the Philippines?’ Everybody loved her. Men wanted to marry her. So before coming here, I knew she was popular in the Philippines. How popular? I only came face to face with it when I got here and learned of her legacy.”

“I was thinking maybe I can bring Leila back and this is my gift to the Philippines,” thought Adachi.

“Through some common friends, I was able to get in touch with her and learn firsthand from her about her experiences playing not only for Brazil but going to the Philippines. When I presented to her the idea of coming back here and playing for a Filipino audience, she said, ‘Yes,’ and was very excited,” she said.

Aside from coming over to take part in the BVR Invitational, Adachi, is meeting with some people to help formalize the plans to bring Barros over.

“Right now, we are looking at October of this year, after the Olympics,” said Adachi. “We don’t know if it’s indoor or beach volleyball. Maybe we can combine both so we can maximize her being here. I don’t want her to come here for one event. If she can do both that would be great and we will have the best of both worlds.” 

With regards to her returning to play for Petron, Adachi, who now resides in Michigan, USA, said there is nothing certain at the moment.

“I don’t know yet. After I first played for Petron, I kind of knew I was coming back. This year that didn’t happen. Am not sure if Petron will invite me. But I haven’t gotten any invite yet. I am here at the moment because of BVR. Maybe it could be with the V-League. Nothing is sure yet.”

“One thing is sure, playing here is so amazing. I never felt so loved playing volleyball here.” – Rappler.com