Jerico Adajar may be a newcomer in the UAAP, but his experience playing volleyball is already immense.
Although only in his first year with De La Salle University, he is already taking up a Masters in Entrepreneurship.
He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering just last year at Lyceum of the Philippines University-Laguna.
From Grade 11 up to his fourth year in college, Adajar was part of the LPU-L volleyball varsity team.
He was also playing in various leagues such as in the Spikers’ Turf – the country’s men’s premier league – representing the Santa Rosa City Lions back in the 2023 Open Conference.
For his impressive résumé, Green Spikers head coach Jose Roque admitted that they’ve long been eyeing Adajar.
“Actually matagal na naming ina-eye si Jerico eh. Nagkataon lang na ito yung pagkakataon na talagang nagkasundo kami, interesado siya so yun ginrab lang namin yung opportunity na yun,” said Roque.
In just La Salle’s third game this Season 86, Adajar was given the chance to start in their game against University of Santo Tomas – one of the title favorites this tournament, along with the four-peat-seeking National University.
There, he sparkled by orchestrating the Green Spikers’ offense to a tee. And he led them to a 26-24, 23-25, 25-21, 25-15 victory against the Golden Spikers on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The 23-year-old setter still has two years of eligibility left after this season. And he already anticipated his injection into the First Six as indicated during their practice sessions in preparation for UST.
“Yung pagpasok sa akin ni coach sa first six against UST, nagsimula nung past days.. Ako yung parang inasahan na ni coach sa training na mag-iistart, kaya inembrace ko na yung role,” said the 6-foot-1 playmaker out of Lipa, Batangas.
Adajar, who tossed 26 excellent sets, utilized his wing spikers to perfection against the Golden Spikers. Noel Kampton finished with 18 points, while JM Ronquillo and Vince Maglinao made 16 points apiece.
However, he knows that there’s more work to be done when it comes to connection with his new teammates, something Roque wanted to fast-track – hence why he made Adajar a starter.
“Mas ginamit ko lang muna si Jerico kasi somehow kailangan niya muna mag build up sa team eh, si Poquita anytime kaya niya talaga magdeliver eh kaya siya muna yung ginamit ko,” shared Roque as Gene Poquita has been with the team since last year.
“Yung naging training ko naman sa La Salle for the past two months, yung familiarity syempre medyo shaky pero along the way natututunan naman,” said Adajar.
