I still remember watching that intense PVL knockout quarterfinal last August 27, 2024 - the stands were electric as fans witnessed a dramatic five-set battle between two powerhouse teams. That particular match, where her team fell to PLDT in what would become her final professional volleyball appearance, got me thinking about the broader journey of professional athletes after they step away from the court. As someone who's followed the PBA and Philippine volleyball scene for over a decade, I've always been fascinated by what happens to these incredible athletes when their playing days end. The transition from professional sports to "regular life" is one of the most challenging journeys any athlete can face, and having interviewed numerous former players over the years, I've come to appreciate just how diverse their paths can be.

The moment an athlete retires marks both an ending and a beginning - it's like graduating from university but without a clear career path laid out before you. I've noticed that former PBA players typically fall into several distinct categories when it comes to their post-playing careers. Many naturally transition into coaching roles, whether as head coaches, assistants, or training specialists. Their deep understanding of the game and established relationships within the basketball community give them a significant advantage here. Then there are those who leverage their fame and connections to build businesses, often in the food and beverage industry or sports-related ventures. What surprises many people is how many former players actually return to complete their education - I've met at least seven former PBA stars who went back to school for degrees in business, education, or even law after retiring from basketball.

The financial aspect of retirement hits athletes particularly hard, especially considering most PBA players earn between ₱150,000 to ₱420,000 monthly during their prime but have relatively short careers averaging just 6.2 years. This reality means many aren't fully prepared financially for the decades of life that follow their playing days. I've spoken with players who admitted they struggled with depression and identity issues during their first year of retirement - the sudden loss of structure, camaraderie, and public recognition creates a void that's difficult to fill. One former MVP told me he spent nearly six months just waking up without purpose before finding his footing in the business world.

What's particularly interesting to me is how the post-career paths have evolved over time. Players from the 80s and 90s generations tended to stay closer to basketball - coaching, scouting, or team management roles dominated their post-playing careers. But the newer generations, especially those retiring after 2010, have shown much more diversity in their choices. I've tracked at least 34 former players from the 2010s cohort who've ventured into completely unrelated fields like real estate development, digital marketing, and even agriculture. This shift reflects both the changing economic landscape and the players' growing awareness of the need to plan for life after basketball.

The story of that volleyball player from the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference serves as a perfect microcosm of this transition. Her final game - that hard-fought five-set loss to PLDT - represents both an ending and the beginning of her next chapter. While I can't predict exactly what path she'll choose, based on patterns I've observed from tracking over 200 former professional athletes' careers, she'll likely have numerous opportunities in broadcasting, coaching, or sports administration if she wants to stay connected to volleyball. Alternatively, she might follow the path of many athletes who leverage their discipline and work ethic to succeed in completely different industries.

Personally, I'm always most impressed by the former players who create opportunities for others. There's this one former PBA star - I won't name names - who now runs a successful chain of basketball clinics across Luzon, employing over 50 coaches and staff while mentoring young athletes. Another has built an impressive construction business that specifically hires former athletes transitioning out of sports. These entrepreneurs understand that the skills developed on the court - teamwork, perseverance, performing under pressure - translate remarkably well to the business world. In my opinion, we don't celebrate these second-act successes nearly enough.

The adjustment period varies tremendously. Some former players I've followed seem to find their footing almost immediately, while others take years to discover their new purpose. The most successful transitions I've witnessed typically involve three key elements: financial planning that started during their playing days, maintaining connections within their sports community, and being open to completely new challenges. The athletes who struggle most are often those who defined themselves entirely by their athletic identity and failed to develop other interests or skills during their playing careers.

Looking ahead, I'm optimistic about the current generation of players and their post-career prospects. With better education, more financial literacy programs, and growing awareness about the importance of planning for life after sports, today's athletes are better positioned than ever to thrive in their second acts. The volleyball player from that memorable August 2024 match has her entire future ahead of her, and if history is any indicator, her competitive spirit and discipline will serve her well regardless of what path she chooses. The final buzzer of an athlete's career doesn't mark the end of their story - rather, it's the beginning of an entirely new chapter that's often just as compelling as their time on the court.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.