The stakes were high for Jaz Ellarina and the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws as they entered the 2024 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge semifinals. Facing the University of the East (UE) Lady Red Warriors, a team that had already bested them in the eliminations, the pressure was palpable. But on this stage, FEU came prepared—and Ellarina was determined to lead the charge.
In a 25-21, 25-15, 25-20 payback victory last Wednesday at the Philsports Arena, Ellarina's powerful presence at the net was impossible to ignore. The middle blocker, originally an opposite hitter, was in top form, finishing with 13 points, 10 of them from well-placed attacks. Her dominance above the net was the catalyst for FEU’s breakthrough performance.
“Ngayon po minindset ko talaga simula pa lang nung last game pa lang, sabi ko babawi talaga kami and yung eagerness ko na meron ako last game, minake sure ko po na doblehin ‘to,” Ellarina shared, reflecting on her mindset after the victory.
The game wasn’t just about securing a win; it was about redemption. The Lady Tamaraws had fallen to UE in a five-set thriller during the group phase, a stinging 21-25, 26-24, 23-25, 25-22, 15-10 loss. That defeat, while painful, became a rallying point for Ellarina and her teammates. The lessons learned from that encounter were evident in their semifinal performance, where FEU displayed sharper plays and heightened intensity.
Ellarina, who had embraced the challenge of shifting to a middle blocker role, invested time in studying their last defeat against the Lady Red Warriors. Her dedication to understanding their defensive tendencies paid off in spades, allowing her to fine-tune her approach and lead her team to victory.
“Kasi ‘yung UE sobrang defensive team din po nila, so hindi pwedeng kung anong nilaro ko last game, ýun din yung ilalaro ko ngayon. So parang minindset ko po and tinraining ko talaga kung ano ‘yung mga puntos na magwo-work po sa kanila,” she explained.
Her adjustments were visible throughout the game as she broke through UE's defense time and again. As the Lady Tamaraws moved one step closer to another finals appearance, Ellarina’s leadership stood out not just in her scoring but in her composure and resolve.
With Game 1 behind them, Ellarina’s focus has now shifted to the next challenge: closing out the series in Game 2. Despite the win, she remains grounded, knowing there’s still work to be done.
“Siguro po kung ngayon dinoble ko [‘yung effort], siguro po next game triple na po. Also, ‘yung trust ko sa teammates ko na kaya din nila mag-contribute since kilala ko po sila, magagaling po sila,” she said, emphasizing her confidence in her teammates’ abilities to rise to the occasion.
Looking ahead, Ellarina knows that consistency will be the key, especially as they potentially face powerhouse teams like UST in the finals. Her sights are set on further elevating her performance, particularly in blocking, which she sees as a crucial factor for the Lady Tamaraws moving forward.
“Yung consistency po siguro sa laro and mas ano pa po, mas mag-focus sa blockings since hindi ito ‘yung pwedeng maging galaw namin sa UST. Dapat mas mataas pa,” she added, already strategizing for the challenges ahead.
