Far Eastern University’s pillars in team captain Gerz Petallo and middle blocker Jaz Ellarina find themselves at a defining crossroads in their UAAP women’s volleyball journeys, with just one remaining year of eligibility hanging in the balance.
After the Lady Tamaraws bowed out of postseason contention following a four-set defeat to the University of Santo Tomas in the playoff for the No. 4 seed in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament, both veterans admitted they are still undecided on whether to turn professional or return for one final collegiate run.
“Wala pa akong mabibigay na sagot now, but yung magiging new lang next season ay mga papasok na iba. ‘Yon lang muna yung masasagot ko,” Petallo said on Saturday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. She delivered 14 points built on nine attacks and five blocks, alongside 14 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs in FEU’s final Season 88 outing.
“Parang ngayon, wala pa sa isip namin ‘yon. Hindi pa namin siya masyadong iniisip ngayon. More on sa realizations and reflections sa nangyari this past season. Wala pa masyadong thoughts,” Ellarina added, after finishing with nine points on five attacks, eight blocks, and one ace against UST.
Petallo had long been FEU’s primary offensive weapon in her first three years with the program. However, her fourth season was disrupted after the De La Salle Zobel product was sidelined in the second round due to a minor right shoulder injury.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Still, she took pride in how the Lady Tamaraws responded in her absence — ultimately staying in the hunt for a Final Four spot — as Alyzza Devosora, Lovely Lopez, and Congolese spiker Faida Bakanke stepped up when needed.
“Siyempre, very happy and grateful sa mga teammates ko, lalo na sa mga nag-step up talaga. Lalo na si Lovely. Sophomore pa lang siya, pero kita kung gaano siya katapang, and gaano siya nag-step up sa place ko,” said the 22-year-old hitter, who finished Season 88 with 126 points off 107 spikes, 12 blocks, and seven aces.
Meanwhile, Ellarina remains deeply grateful for the opportunity given to her by coach Tina Salak and the entire FEU program, which welcomed her after a brief stint with the NU Lady Bulldogs.
Seeking a fresh start in Morayta, Ellarina joined the Lady Tamaraws under Salak’s guidance in hopes of reviving her volleyball career. And she did exactly that.
The 6-foot middle blocker delivered her best UAAP season yet, finishing with 117 points and ranking as the league’s fourth-best blocker with 0.66 rejections per set.
“All the time, sinasabi ko na super grateful ako sa opportunity na binigay nila sa akin. Ang una ko lang namang sinabi sa kanila noong lumipat ako sa kanila ay gusto ko lang ng peace of mind. Hindi ko na kailangan ng mataas na allowance or hindi ko na kailangan anything na extravagant para lang makapaglaro,” Ellarina shared.
“‘Yon lang sinabi ko na peace of mind and playing time, tapos the rest, to be followed. Wala na akong masyadong care sa kung ano ang mabibigay nila. Super happy ako kasi grabe yung opportunity na binigay nila. Parang binuksan nila ako ng bagong perspective in life. Iniba nila yung position ko, kaya parang may light sa buhay ko na puwede pala ako dito at hindi pa lang diyan.”
