Barreto brings Latin flavor to Proliga
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Whether on attack or defense, Brazilian volleyball player Marcello Barreto provides added value to his team.
Last year, playing for Jakarta Monas Bank DKI, he was the best blocker in the Proliga volleyball championship; this year, his 72.661 percent conversion rate on spikes leads all players.
At a towering 1.98 meters -- a full 10 centimeters more than his tallest teammate -- he also stands out from the crowd.
Fourth last year, Jakarta Monas Bank DKI reached this year's final by edging defending champions Surabaya Samator 3-1 (25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-20) on Friday night. It was the first time in Proliga's three-year history that the East Java team failed to make the final.
Jakarta Monas Bank DKI will play league leader Jakarta 46 BNI in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Sunday for the Rp 75 million top prize. Play begins at 1:30 p.m.
Barreto has played in his homeland, Portugal and here for the past two years, but the 22 year old said there was a constant wherever and whenever he took the court.
"I always try to give my best anywhere I play," the 22 year old said.
Bolasport journalist Pipit, who covers the volleyball scene, said Barreto also knew about playing percentages.
"Marcello plays smartly, because he not only hits powerful spikes but also knows how to place them well."
It's not only his solid play and height that get attention. Barreto is also known among members of the media, opponents and fans for wearing his emotions on his sleeve.
"This year, though, he looks to be able to control his emotions a little bit better," Pipit said.
But he still has his moments. In one recent match, Barreto missed a block and was hit by the ball, leading to a noisy celebration among his opponents.
When his next opportunity came to spike, a seething Barreto pounded the ball in a glaring in-your-face retort.
The Brazilian knows his reputation for being hot-headed.
"Sometimes I have emotional problems with other players on the court. But I think it is a matter of different cultures."
He was introduced to volleyball at the age of nine by his father, Jorge Luiz Day Barreto, who also played the game, in the coastal city of Porto Alegre.
"My father influenced me a lot in playing volleyball."
At 17, Barreto, who also represented his country in the world junior championship, started his career as a professional volleyball player, with his team finishing runner-up in the Brazilian volleyball league.
"I played for a club owned by a university named ULBRA," he said, referring to the Lutheran University of Brazil in his native Rio Grande do Sul state.
At 20, he was hired to play for a club in Portugal, before coming to Indonesia last year.
After the 2004 Proliga, he suffered a health scare when he was diagnosed with a circulatory disorder.
"I was in Portugal when I suffered the problem. Jakarta Monas Bank DKI then contacted me again to play for them, and now my injury has disappeared."
Despite culture clashes and misunderstandings, Barreto is happy to be back and in the final.
"I enjoy my time in Indonesia because people here are warm and always have smiles on their faces," he said.
"Playing here is also exciting because there are many supporters and the competition is well managed."