Now in her sophomore season, Jurado emerged as the natural leader for the youthful Golden Tigresses.
In just her second season in the UAAP, lefty outside hitter Regina Jurado will already be given a leadership role for the UST Golden Tigresses.
After a Final Four loss last season, UST saw the exit of superstar Eya Laure, along with veterans Milena Alessandrini and Imee Hernandez.
This has left a huge hole for the Golden Tigresses, who will now depend on their previous rookies to step up and try to lead the team to glory.
But as early as now, Jurado is accepting the call to help UST's new set of rookies in adjusting for Season 86 and beyond.
“Siguro kung i-compare ko 'yung sa rookie season ko, mas lighter siya sa feeling kasi compared ngayon, isa na ako sa mga nilo-look up to na senior sa mga rookies namin,” Jurado told One Sports during the UAAP Season 86 press conference on Monday.
“Isa na din ako sa mga naka-experience ng UAAP and in that way, makaka-relate ako sa kanila by giving them ideas,” she added.
During the offseason, UST exceeded expectations after finishing second in the Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship led by super rookies Angeline Poyos and Xyza Gula.
Along with their new rising stars, the 5-foot-7 Jurado is also expected to have another stellar season for UST, who are hoping to make the Final Four once more despite fielding a relatively younger roster.
Speaking like a veteran, Jurado is making sure that the team will be focused one game at a time.
“So far, no expectations pa talaga ngayon,” said Jurado. “We just hope na 'yung team namin, we can show our best sa mga UAAP games lalo na at parang rebuilding team nga kami.”
“Kahit ganun, hindi naman i-underestimate din, so I hope individually makaka-contribute kami and collectively as a team,” she added.