If there’s one thing that Irah Jaboneta learned from her ‘kuya’ Janjan’s and Isa Molde’s stints with University of the Philippines, it is to be brave on and off the court.
So, when the Fighting Maroons failed to show that particular aspect in the third and fourth sets against Far Eastern University, the younger Jaboneta went back to the lessons that he absorbed from his brother and channeled that ‘palaban’ mentality.
“Ayun nga masyado kaming nag relax nung third and fourth, nawala yung tapang, yung aggressiveness sa paglalaro,” said Irah after UP’s five-set victory over FEU on Saturday night.
“Palaban, dapat maging palaban kasi iba talaga ‘pag UAAP kahit collegiate kailangan palaban ka. Marami silang tinuro, ‘pag nanonood sila inspiration, motivated kasi ‘pag nandiyan sila naririnig ko sinisigaw yung pangalan ko alam ko na na may mali ako or kailangan kong galingan yung paglalaro ko,” she shared.
After breezing through the first two sets, UP fumbled a couple of match points in the third and fourth sets which allowed FEU to come back and send the game to a decider. That’s when Irah stepped up for the Fighting Maroons and helped the team close out the Lady Tamaraws, 25-12, 25-22, 24-26, 27-29, 15-11, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The first-year spiker, who played a crucial role in the team’s 8-0 blast in the final frame, ended up with a triple-double of 13 points, 14 excellent receptions, and 12 excellent digs to lead UP to a 2-0 start in the season.
“Nung fifth set ayun, nagising na. Yung tiwala rin po kasi nung coaches, yung teammates namin sa bench, sa loob, tapos yung UP community din po sa loob ng arena sobrang taas ng energy,” explained Irah.
“Kaya kami rin na players hindi kami sumuko. Kung sa labas lumalaban sila, kailangan kami sa loob na kami yung gumagalaw. Kailangan naming tapangan pa and mag improve pa lalo. Each game naman may natututunan and thankful ako na nakuha namin yung game na ‘to,” she added.
Representing State U is definitely special for the La Salle-Zobel standout. After all, she watched her ‘kuya’ gave his all for the Fighting Maroons. And now, she gets the chance to do it herself.
“Ang sarap sa feeling na maglaro for UP. Ayun nga, ‘pag suot mo yung jersey na nakalagay UP, iba sa pakiramdam nakakaproud and iba talaga sa feeling kaya each game bigay todo.”
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