Jasmine Nabor has been one of the last-minute additions to the roster of the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team for the second leg of the ASEAN Grand Prix.
Nabor’s inclusion in the lineup came after Alohi Robins-Hardy was ruled out of the regional meet due to concerns surrounding her Philippine passport.
Sudden as the development might have been, Nabor is more than willing to shoulder responsibility in order to prove that she’s worthy of a spot in the national team.
“Madalian lang na kasama kami dito ‘di ba? Noong Monday lang sinabi na kasama kami sa national team. Siguro parang in one snap, ‘Ay! Maglalaro ako’,” she disclosed.
“Kailangan may patunayan ako sa sarili ko, sa maraming tao, at saka siyempre dito sa mga teammates.”
Nabor’s mettle will be put to the test when the Philippines battle powerhouse Thailand.
“‘Yung nafe-feel ko excited na kinakabahan,” the 21-year-old product of National University bared.
One cannot blame Nabor to feel that kind of way, though.
For one, Nabor’s excitement stems from the fact that this is only her second time donning the tri-colors of the country.
“Siyempre first time kong magiging first setter para i-represent yung bansa natin,” she disclosed.
Nabor’s anxiousness, on the other hand, arises from the idea that she won’t be sharing the setting load with grizzled playmaker Jia Morado, who will be suiting up for Creamline in an out-of-town match in Iloilo.
But for the sake of representing flag and country, the PLDT orchestrator is eager to persevere even in the face of a daunting task of toppling the fancied World Grand Prix regular.
“Lalaruin ko lang kung ano yung laro ko tapos mag-focus pa ‘ko, makipag-communicate pa ‘ko sa spiker ko,” the 5-foot-9 playmaker said.
“Kasi onti lang yung time ko na nakasama ko sila, at saka malaking opportunity yung kahit papano ginagamit ako kanina kasi para at least tumaas yung confidence ko sa paglalaro.”
