If she could physically split the Finals Most Valuable Player trophy, Jia Morado would give each Creamline Cool Smasher a piece of it.
Among anyone, the three-time PVL Best Setter would know that all great volleyball teams rely on some measure of mutuality.
“Lahat kami MVP talaga.
“I really couldn’t have done what I do had it not been for my teammates doing a great job on their roles,” thought Morado who tossed 39 excellent sets to go with six points — which includes two rare blocks in Creamline’s championship clinching win over the Ateneo-Motolite Lady Eagles, Saturday.
Most impressive was the 23-year-old spreading the love on offense as three Cool Smashers reached double-digits. Alyssa Valdez had a game-high 13 points while Michele Gumabao and Risa Sato tallied 12 and 10 points, respectively. Pau Soriano and Jema Galanza chipped in eight markers each as well.
Seeing this, Ateneo-Motolite head coach Oliver Almadro could not help but gush about the former Lady Eagle’s play.
“Iba din kasi when a team has leaders, especially one like Jia Morado. Grabe ‘yung ginawa ni Jia.
“I’ve seen so much in volleyball, pero bihira ka makakakita ng katulad ng ginawa ni Jia. She made her teammates superstars. Although her teammates are already stars in their own right, she made everyone better,” expressed the three time UAAP Men’s champion mentor, hoping that the Lady Eagles — especially setter Deanna Wong — learned a lot from Morado.
“Bihira ka makakakita ng ganoon sa volleyball. My players learner a lot. Deanna learned a lot, I’m sure. What’s important for us now is to translate all this into UAAP,” the triple crown PVL champion coach shared.
