After spending six years in Loyola, Jhoana Maraguinot is ready to go down the hill.
She’s also not playing out her final year of eligibility.
Her 11-point outing in the Ateneo Lady Eagles’ Final Four loss to the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws will be her last match in the UAAP.
“Yeah, I’m graduating. I have one more [year of eligibility], but I think I’m done,” Maraguinot said.
Earlier in the season, the Batangas-native expressed her uncertainty to Tiebreaker Times. After Ateneo’s exit in the semifinals — the first time the Lady Eagles failed to make the Finals since Season 76 — Maraguinot has gained more clarity.
“Siyempre, sobrang sayang kasi it was do-or-die for us and we died. But, kinulang lang kami, lumaban pa rin naman kami.
“‘Yung third set namin was grabe, ‘yun ‘yung mami-miss ko sa UAAP — ‘yung feeling na kita mo na lahat ng teammates mo lumalaban, nagtutulong-tulong. We fought ’til the end,” lamented Maraguinot, who reflected on the Lady Eagles’ culture, which she helped establish.
“Even though we fell short, alam ko naman na kilala kami ng mga tao as lumalaban hanggang dulo, hanggang kaya. ‘Yun din namin ‘yung naging development ko as a person. I admit na hindi rin naman ako ganito before maglaro, hindi ganito ‘yung character,” the 21-year-old spiker added.
“Pero noong hinandle kami coach Tai [Bundit], tinuro niya sa amin ‘yung Heartstrong. Tinuro niya na ‘di ka pwede sumuko until tapos na.
“Life-changing because hindi ko in-expect na magiging ganito ‘yung buhay ko dahil sa volleyball sa UAAP and Ateneo na ang dami kong natutunan. I know it made me a better person,” Maraguinot shared.
Along with the open spiker, head coach Tai Bundit has also left the Ateneo program. Maraguinot gushed about the profound effect of the Thai mentor on her career.
“Sobrang laki nang ginawa sa akin ni coach. Kundi dahil sa kanya, di ako ganito maglaro. It’s sad na he’s gonna leave, pero he has his family back home,” she shared.
“Marami na siyang na-sacrifice for us, I guess it’s time for him to spend his time back home kasi lumalaki ‘yung mga anak niya without him.”
