BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — Jasmine Nabor has always been a Jia Morado fan growing up.
In fact, Nabor, who is three years younger than Morado, was starstruck when they first faced off in the UAAP back in 2015.
So when she got the chance to compete against her idol in the biggest stage of Philippine volleyball six years since they first faced off, Nabor made sure to relish every single minute of it.
“Doon pa lang na magkatapat kami sa championship sobrang sarap na sa feeling kasi siyempre isa siya sa iniidolo ko tapos siya yung best setter talaga,” shared Nabor about the six-time PVL Best Setter.
In the Game Three of the Open Conference finals, Nabor showed Morado how far she has come, tossing 34 excellent sets — including the final play that allowed Jaja Santiago to score the championship-clinching quick to give Chery Tiggo the 23-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-8 win.
And for all the time that the young playmaker out of Tarlac has been inspired by Morado, she hopes that this time around, even by just a little bit, she was able to return the favor to her long-time idol.
“Sobrang nainspire ako kaya palagi gusto ko magkatapat kami sa championship. Tapos gusto ko din mainspire siya sa akin every time na magkakatapat kami,” said the 5-foot-9 playmaker out of National University.
In the PVL bubble, the 23-year-old had the important task of distributing the offense in a loaded Chery Tiggo squad that has Santiago, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Mylene Paat, and Maika Ortiz.
And the new recruit was just glad to have the trust of these tested veterans especially on a big stage like this.
The former PLDT setter posted norms 28 sets per game in the best-of-three finals series.
“Ang sarap sa feeling kasi yung tiwala nila sa akin na kahit anong hagis at kahit anong ibatong bola sa kanila panget ‘man o maganda makikita mo talaga na sobrang gusto nilang patayin yung bola,” said Nabor.
“Ang sarap lang din talaga sa feeling na nakikita mo sa bawat isa yung tiwala nung mga pumapalo para sa akin.”
