One of the many newcomers to the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, Ysa Jimenez finally showed her wares in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference.
The transferee from UE powered in 13 points on 12-for-26 hitting in the Tigresses tight win over the CSB Lady Blazers. Jimenez was pivotal in UST’s semis-clinching win.
“Sa amin kasi itong game na ‘to walang pressure kasi lagi kaming nire-remind ni coach na maging masaya lang kami sa ginagawa namin and magtiwala sa kung anong kaya naming gawin and makinig lang sa kanila sa mga instructions nila,” the 18-year old said of her performance.
“Kasi hindi naman kami nila ilalagay sa mali eh. Every training laging masaya lang kasi, siyempre, karamihan sa amin puro rookies so parang nape-pressure din pero andiyan sila coach lagi para i-remind kami.”
Before Saturday, fellow rookie Eya Laure towed the Tigresses, earning player of the game honors in every match.
With the former UAAP Juniors Most Valuable Player nursing a right shoulder injury, Jimenez knew she needed to step up.
“Nagsabi rin siya (Laure) sa akin na, ‘Ysa ikaw ‘yung kailangan namin ngayon tulungan mo ko.’
“Parang ako, ‘Oo tutulungan kita at ‘yung team. Gagawin ko lahat ng makakaya ko.’ And siyempre nandiyan din naman sila ate para tulungan kami, sila coach,” added the Sports Science major.
For her part, Jimenez does not mind having to earn her spot in UST. In the PVL lineup, UST has eight other rookies while several other neophytes and veterans are yet to see action.
The chase for a spot on the UAAP roster will be tight, but Jimenez is already happy to be studying in her dream school.
“Sa akin kasi, parang healthy competition naman kasi sa amin so kung sino deserving, di ba? Tapos sa amin, wala, nagtitiwala lang naman kami sa sarili namin kaya nga nagtetraining para maimprove everyday ‘yung ginagalaw namin.
“Dream school ko po talaga itong UST and andito ‘yung mga taong nagpapasaya sa akin and masaya sa UST actually sobrang saya hindi ako nagsisi na lumipat ako dito,” Jimenez closed.
