Justine Jazareno has not yet played for De La Salle University in the ongoing Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals tournament.
Jazareno was not included in La Salle’s roster for the pre-season tilt, as the Lady Spikers opted for Lyka de Leon and Gillianna Torres as their liberos.
When asked about the incoming third-year libero, Orcullo did not comment on Jazareno’s rumored signing with a Premier Volleyball League team.
“No comment,” said Orcullo.
Jazareno, 23, has already completed her undergraduate studies at La Salle.
The 5-foot-5 defensive specialist had a spectacular UAAP Season 85 campaign, leading the digging department with an average of 3.84 digs per set.
Even without Jazareno, La Salle kept its championship bid alive in the Shakey’s and ACES-organized league with a grueling five-set victory over the University of Santo Tomas, 22-25, 25-18, 14-25, 26-24, 26-24, on Friday afternoon at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Spikers will now focus on recovery as they head into the best-of-three finals against familiar UAAP foe Adamson University, beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 9.
Earlier, the Lady Falcons won in straight sets over the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 25-19, 25-21, 25-16.
Alleiah Malaluan and Shevana Laput led La Salle in the two-hour, 23-minute affair with 25 and 23-point performances, respectively.
(C) Roman Prospero/SSL
“Ibang labanan na ‘to pagdating ng semis, UAAP teams na yung makakalaban. Sabi namin sakanila, kaiilangan ilabas yung A-game nila, hindi pupuwede easy-easy lang yung gagawin nila doon. Eh mukhang napressure, masyado silang naexcite na maglaro at ilabas yung A-game, so mostly nagccommit ng errors, dami na lalo ng service,” lamented the long-time deputy of Ramil de Jesus.
Orcullo is wary of the Lady Falcons, as they are one of only three teams that have beaten them over the past two UAAP seasons.
“Another UAAP team, so kailangan paghandaan, aralin, dapat naming aralin yung Adamson. Sana, actually yung Adamson marami rin naman nawala tulad namin, so unfamiliar din samin dahil puro bago yung players nila,” he added.
“Kailangan pagdating ng Wednesday, alam na nila yung tendencies ng players, yung adjustment na gagawin namin kailangan magawa agad namin.”
(Ernest Martin Tuazon)
