Seeking a fresh start after a brief stint with National University, Jazlyn Ellarina took her talents to Morayta, joining Far Eastern University under head coach Tina Salak in hopes of reigniting her young collegiate volleyball career.
However, like any journey, Ellarina’s path to redemption was filled with obstacles—even ones she never imagined overcoming.
“Yung journey ko kasi, hindi rin naging madali kasi yung transition ko from opposite [spiker] to middle [blocker]. Naging madali lang siya kasi, at paulit-ulit ko sasabihin, dahil sa tiwala na binigay sa akin dito sa team na ito, mas napadali niya yung transition ko from NU as an opposite spiker tapos dito as middle blocker,” Ellarina shared.
“Pinagkatiwalaan nila ako na bigyan ng mahirap na position. So parang ‘yon yung isa sa naging malaking factor kung bakit maganda yung journey ko ngayon.”
(C) UAAP Season 85 Media Team
After being sparingly used as an opposite spiker during NU’s silver-medal finish in Season 85 under former head coach Karl Dimaculangan, Ellarina was given a new challenge upon joining FEU: transitioning to middle blocker.
At six feet tall, she had the height and raw talent, but she wouldn’t be the player she is today without the trust of her returning mentor, Salak, and her teammates.
Ellarina repaid that trust on Saturday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, serving as a much-needed spark off the bench in the Lady Tamaraws’ 25-19, 16-25, 25-14, 25-20 statement win against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament opener.
Although she only played in the third and fourth sets, it was in the final frame where she truly showcased her potential.
With the fourth set tied at 19-all, Ellarina came alive in the clutch, scoring three crucial points in FEU’s 4-1 run to establish a 23-20 lead. Her late-game heroics proved pivotal in keeping UST at bay, as back-to-back errors from Marga Altea and Reg Jurado sealed the Lady Tamaraws’ victory.
“Sa akin, sobrang laking factor nung tiwala and yung support system na nakuha ko mula sa coaches at teammates ko. Kahit third set ako pinasok, yung tiwala nila ganon pa rin, buong buo. So ako, bakit ako magdo-doubt sa sarili ko, ‘eh yung buong team nga pinagkatiwalaan ako,” said Ellarina, who contributed six points in the win.
“Sinurrender ko na lang lahat then ginive ko yung best ko para makapag-perform ako nang maayos, sa tulong din ng bawat isa sa amin.”
