PVL standout Risa Sato has announced that she is expecting her first child, marking a new and joyful chapter in her life.
The Chery Tiggo middle blocker shared the news on her 31st birthday through an Instagram post that featured her baby bump, an ultrasound photo, tiny baby clothes, and a picture with her partner, basketball player Enzo Joson.
“Best birthday yet! Grateful for the tiny miracle that makes my heart so full,” Sato captioned the post.
Joson, a former National University standout like Sato, now plays in the MPBL. The couple’s announcement was quickly met with an outpouring of love from fellow PVL athletes, teammates past and present, and fans celebrating the milestone.
Sato has been on an extended break since joining the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in January, missing both the Invitational and On Tour conferences. She is expected to remain on hiatus as she prepares for motherhood.
Before her move to Chery Tiggo, the Filipino-Japanese middle blocker was a core member of the Creamline Cool Smashers, where she helped the team capture 10 championship titles and became one of the most beloved figures in Philippine volleyball.