De La Salle University Lady Spiker Kim Fajardo has made known her ambivalence over a return to the UAAP taraflex courts.
The two-time UAAP Best Setter still has a year of eligibility left. If she chooses to play another year, she will have spent seven years in La Salle. The prospect of a seventh year in college mentally fatigues Fajardo.
But she did agree to serve as La Salle’s seventh woman for beach volleyball. Initially, Fajardo had been eager to coach the new Lady Spikers’ tandem of Tin Tiamzon and Des Cheng on the court.
But then Cheng suffered an asthma attack during the middle of the season. Despite not having expected to play, Fajardo replaced her junior and suffered a defeat to Adamson University.
But as the competitor that she is, Fajardo has fought her way back into shape over the season and is now on the verge of a third straight appearance in the Finals.
Fajardo has jelled well with the young Tiamzon, displaying the mastery of the sandcourt and ball control that she used to lead La Salle, together with Cyd Demecillo, to the title last season.
The Lady Spikers had climbed all the way from the bottom of the stepladder Final Four to come within a game of making the Finals at the expense of the Far Eastern University, who saw their twice-to-beat advantage erased.
Never one to back down from a challenge, Fajardo is making the most of an unforeseen opportunity.
“Siyempre nandito na rin naman ako, bakit hindi ko pa tatapusin ng maayos? Last playing ko na rin naman. Tiyagain ko na. Gusto ko na manalo talaga,” Fajardo told Tiebreaker Times.
“Ngayon, ginagalaw ko lang ‘yung dapat ko igalaw at saka nagtitiwala talaga ako sa teammate ko – sobrang importante noon na kahit sobrang imposible na, may tiwala pa tin kami sa isa’t isa na kaya namin manalo.”
“Noong una akong naglaro ulet, hindi ko nga inexpect na makakarating kami ng ganitong kalayo. Credit talaga kay Tin (Tiamzon) kasi sobrang galing niya mag-adjust.”
Asked if this was a sign of a possible return to the indoor courts, Fajardo chose to stay mum.
All she wants right now is another beach volleyball championship.
