National University’s success may revolve around the offensive troika of Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Vange Alinsug, but libero Shaira Jardio proved to be a true game-changer in the Lady Bulldogs’ Game 1 victory over the De La Salle University Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament Finals.
While Jardio had already played a key role in NU’s top-seed finish in the elimination round, the Finals posed a familiar but formidable challenge.
She had to keep the ball alive against a La Salle squad that ranked second in both attack efficiency (33.68%) and blocking (2.33 blocks per set) during the preliminaries.
Beyond Belen’s remarkable triple-double of 19 points, 15 excellent digs, and 10 excellent receptions, and Alinsug’s explosive 21-point outing, Jardio rose to the occasion. The 21-year-old libero delivered 28 excellent receptions and 18 excellent digs — a massive effort that helped NU move one win away from capturing its third UAAP women’s volleyball crown in four seasons.
“Yung naging mindset ko lang is dun lang ako sa pwesto ko and walang lalapag na bala doon sa pwesto ko kasi alam ko naman nandoon sila ate Bella [na] tutulungan ako sa likod,” Jardio shared.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
With the championship on the line, Jardio embraced the moment and dug deep into her defensive arsenal, especially with backup libero IC Cepada only playing one set in the four-frame match.
“Nag-focus ako sa bola talaga kasi di mo malalaman yung blockings talaga ng La Salle dahil super dukot yung blockings nila. So ‘ayon, nag-focus ako sa bola talaga,” said the NU-Nazareth School homegrown standout.
Thanks to her defensive brilliance, NU now stands on the brink of a historic back-to-back title run — a feat last achieved by La Salle when it completed a three-peat from Seasons 78 to 80.
With that milestone in sight, Jardio remains grounded and focused on continuing her relentless floor defense, knowing that consistency and precision will be crucial to closing the series in Game 2 and securing the Lady Bulldogs’ fifth UAAP women’s volleyball championship.
“Mindset siguro, same pa rin nung Game 1, and kailangan lang namin puliduhin lang namin lalo na sa blockings,” she emphasized.
“Confident ako, 101 percent. Kasi, alam kong ilalaban talaga namin na buo kami.”
#WATCH: “WALANG LALAPAG SA PWESTO KO!” 🔥
Shaira Jardio was unstoppable in Game 1 of the #UAAPSeason87 Finals, posting 18 excellent digs (60%) and 28 excellent receptions (66.66%) 🏐
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/9lX9s4frnj
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 11, 2025
