While she was not playing on the court, Jia Morado was still a huge presence for the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles in their debut in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference.
Although she no longer plans on playing for Ateneo, Morado was still in blue and white as an assistant coach. One of the most prolific setters in UAAP history, Morado found her first match as a coach “weird”. As with other players who watch their first game out of the team, the former Lady Eagle admitted that playing in games is a wholly different experience.
“It was weird. Pero I was happy with how the girls were moving and communicating inside the court,” said the 22-year-old as the Lady Eagles came away with a straight-set win over the JRU Heavy Bombers. “Siguro, iba ‘yung perspective ko from outside the court. Natutunan ko today na iba talaga ‘yung feeling when you’re playing inside the court.
“It really takes a lot of getting used to kung paano ko kakausapin ‘yung girls and paano ko sila matutulungan.”
Morado said that she had just been assistant coach for a few days but sometimes could not help herself from putting on her jersey and training with her former team.
“Sometimes kasi I train with Ateneo just to keep in condition. While I’m training with them, minsan I teach the setters, may inputs akong nabibigay,” Morado furthered.
“They asked me if I wanted to try being an assistant coach para extra help din kay coach Tai [Bundit], especially with warm-ups and sa drills.”
As an assistant coach, Morado can directly affect the development of the players who will replace her — Deanna Wong and Dani Ravena.
“They’ve been good naman. It’s more of small instructions lang naman kasi (that I give her) the rest, she can handle on her own,” the two-time V-League best setter added. “Minsan, ang sinasabi ko lang sa kanya is to relax and breathe kasi nara-rattle siya. Sometimes, that all she needs.”
She believes that Ateneo’s current crop of playmakers have what it takes to keep up the Lady Eagles’ winning tradition.
“I believe in all the setters of Ateneo. They’re pretty talented and skilled. All they need is exposure.”
