FOR every province-based athlete, whether it is on basketball or volleyball or other sports, playing in Manila – more so in a league like the UAAP – is a goal they wanted to achieve.
For the diminutive Shaira Jardio, being a part of the National University Lady Bullpups in the UAAP Season 81 juniors volleyball is a dream come true.
“When I was recruited last summer, I really can’t believe it, because who am I for NU to recruit me?” said Jardio, a native of Talisay, Negros Occidental strutting her wares at the Rafael B. Lacson Memorial High School before moving to Manila.
Just like any young individual that has dreams to achieve, Jardio did not let the enticing offer from a four-time UAAP juniors volleyball champions pass – even if this means being away from her family and her comfort zone.
“Playing in Manila has its pros and cons. Of course, the good part is to achieve my dream of playing in a prestigious league like the UAAP but I have to sacrifice, too. I am away from my family,” Jardio said.
“Good thing I have some fellow Ilonggas in the team, Maicah (Larroza) and Jessa (Ordiales), who helped me get used to living in Manila,” added the former Western Visayas volleyball team libero.
Fast-forward to her first-ever UAAP game, Jardio said she had sleepless nights thinking that it will be a different environment – way different from where she was playing a year ago.
“I was really nervous, like it was my first-ever volleyball game. But I just chose to go with the flow and, luckily, I was able to perform well and helped my teammates got to a winning start,” she said.
“Slowly I was able to adjust to NU’s brand of play. I also want to thank my teammates because they were always there to let me understand what to do and to make sure I am on the same page with them,” she added.
Jardio hopes to continue to be an instrument to the Lady Bullpups as they work toward their fifth straight title. The school is off to a good start winning their first two matches this season.
“We are really aiming at five-peat and we will do our best every game to do that,” Jardio said. “We know that teams here are tough and there will be no walk-in-the-park wins.”
“Every game is a learning process. We always look at what we lack, what needs to be improved. We will really prepare for each game to achieve what we want,” she said./PN
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BLIND ITEM: A PBA ballclub will make it hard for their problematic big man, who reportedly wants to be traded out due to his differences with the coaching staff.
A source from the squad told Buzzer Beater they will hold on to the player even if he refuses to play until they get the offer they want from the team interested in trading for the player.
“Papahirapan siya ng management. Hindi siya basta ibibigay kapalit ng kung sinu-sino lang,” said the source. “Kasi parang nagiging kalakaran na kapag gusto mo magpa-trade, mag-a-AWOL ka na lang.”
“Bahala siya. Alam naman namin may ibang teams na kumakausap sa kanya pero hindi namin siya ibibigay hangga’t makakuha kami ng patas na kapalit,” the source added. “Kung wala talaga, magtiyaga siya maghintay.”/PN
