Rookie Regina Jurado took over during University of Santo Tomas’ straight sets romp over struggling Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday.
The 5-foot-7 lefty opposite spiker dropped a game-high 15 points on 12 attacks and three service aces in the match that lasted just one hour and 22 minutes.
And senior Eya Laure could not be happier with the performance of one of the many sparkling newcomers of the Golden Tigresses.
“Syempre masaya kasi alam mo yun? Dedepensa ka na lang siya na yung papatay. Parang ganon, doon ka na lang magfofocus,” said Laure, who used to carry the heavy load of UST on offense but now has other teammates to lean on.
“Kumbaga yung dating mindset ni ate Sisi (Rondina), mindset ko na rin na sige depensa lang kami nang depensa dito kayo na lang pumatay diyan sa harap basta sabay sabay aangat,” added the Rookie of the Year in Season 81- also Rondina’s last year with UST.
Laure still dropped 10 points against the Blue Eagles but dazzled on the defensive side of things with 12 and a team-leading 12 digs to go with six excellent receptions.
After the games on Wednesday, Laure ranked ninth in the digging department with an average of 2.14 digs per set. She was third among players that are not liberos.
The 20-year-old Jurado is not looking to stop even after hearing the kind words from her senior.
Instead, she looks to take it up a notch as the Golden Tigresses are currently fourth in the standings at 4-2, just a game ahead of fifth spot Far Eastern University at 3-3.
“Pagbubutihan ko po na masustain yung expectations ni ate sa akin… may learnings naman po sana madala ko po siya as the season progresses,” said Jurado, who is 16th in the scoring race, sixth among rookies.
