Michele Gumabao breaks silence on alleged walkout: 'I can handle defeat'

Michele Gumabao was still the talk of the town even hours after the first-ever Ms. Universe Philippines pageant held in Baguio City.

The 28-year-old volleyball player was nowhere to be seen during the event photos with winner Rabiya Mateo and the other finalists.

After all, she already knew who was winning as early as Saturday evening.

“I left this morning sa Baguio Country Club while the pageant was ongoing,” said Gumabao, who was the second runner-up.

“I knew who won last night pa. I tried to go to our viewing party but everyone kept asking what happened. All the hugs, all the looks, I couldn’t handle that.”

Gumabao’s statement was released by her agency Aces and Queens.

For the three-time PVL Best Opposite Spiker, she left not because she was bitter or sore about the defeat despite being one of the odds-on favorites.

And she needed to make a statement for everyone to know what really happened behind-the-scenes.

“I can handle defeat but what I can’t handle people asking me why why why… I’m sharing this with you because you deserve to know my side, we don’t need to defend to anyone. I did my very best and I have no regrets.”

Grew to appreciate various sports from tennis to judo. True-maroon kiddo since the new millennium. Fanboy. Singer. Occasional sports writer.