Stepping into the void left by a stellar talent is never easy — especially when that player is someone like Jean Asis.
For Jaz Ellarina, however, the task is clear.
As Far Eastern University embarks on its campaign in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Ellarina has embraced a bigger responsibility: filling the middle blocker role once held by Asis, who has since turned professional with Galeries Tower in the Premier Volleyball League.
It is an uphill climb by any measure.
Asis was not only the focal point of the Lady Tamaraws’ net defense but also a strong leader alongside Gerz Petallo and Tin Ubaldo, guiding FEU to back-to-back Final Four appearances in Seasons 86 and 87.
Replacing her outright is impossible, and Ellarina — converted by Tina Salak into a middle blocker after a brief stint as an opposite spiker with National University in Season 85 — acknowledges that more than anyone.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“To be honest, hindi siya naging madali kasi yun nga, kasi hindi ko siya kayang… Si Ate Jean, Ate Jean na yan. Siya nga yung sinasabi ko na nilo-look up ko nung ginawa nila akong middle, so parang naging mabigat din siya kasi ang dami kong lapses as middle blocker,” the six-foot middle blocker admitted.
Rather than trying to replicate what Asis brought to the taraflex, Ellarina is focusing on carving her own path. She understands that the Lady Tamaraws do not need another Jean Asis — they need a better version of Jaz Ellarina.
“Before, ang gusto ko lang pumalo, pero ngayon, pinaliwanag nila sa akin na ‘Hindi lang palo yung gagawin mo. Kailangan mo rin talagang mag-commit sa net yung blocking.’ So ang hirap lang kasi hindi mo nga siya magagawa overnight gaya ng sabi ko kanina. Kailangan process talaga siya,” the former NUNS standout explained.
“Hindi siya months, so until now, nahihirapan ako. Pero willing to accept the pressure na maging leader and maging isa sa inaasahan nila sa blocks.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Now slotted as one of FEU’s main anchors alongside Alas Pilipinas Women’s standout Cla Loresco, Ellarina demonstrated her eagerness to step up and stabilize the team on Wednesday afternoon at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Behind an 11-point performance—five attacks, five blocks, and one ace—Ellarina led the Lady Tamaraws to a straight-sets win over the UE Lady Warriors, securing their first victory of Season 88.
Her individual efforts helped FEU bounce back from an opening-day loss to perennial contender De La Salle University, a game in which Ellarina admitted the Lady Tamaraws’ blocking was disorganized.
“Sa game namin sa La Salle, sobrang gulo po ng blockings namin, kaming mga middle. Hindi kami maka-block. Wala kaming makuhang bola. So sa training po, though hindi siya ganun kabilis na process, kasi di lang naman dalawa o tatlong araw mo siya magagawa, or hindi mo siya magagawa overnight,” Ellarina shared.
“Dapat ngayon, kung ano yung mga kulang namin, ano yung mga lapses namin before sa game, magawa namin ngayon and mas mag-commit kami sa system ng blockings namin, which is yun nga, didikit lang kami sa mga wings namin, sa mga setter. Fortunately, nagawa namin siya nang mas maayos ngayon at mas nakakuha kami ng magandang sistema sa blocking.”
