FEU middle blocker Jaz Ellarina stayed with the Lady Tamaraws system en route to a 17-point outing against the listless UE Lady Warriors in UAAP Season 87.
Jaz Ellarina saved her career-best performance for a significant win for the FEU Lady Tamaraws over the listless UE Lady Warriors, 25-20, 25-20, 25-23, in their second round encounter in UAAP Season 87 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Wednesday.
Ellarina, a transferee from NU, played her best game in an FEU uniform with 17 points to help the Lady Tamaraws break away from the rest of the field with a 6-3 slate.
The middle blocker said that she simply stuck to head coach Tina Salak’s system and the offense came on its own, especially in crucial moments that helped the Lady Tams clinch the sweep victory.
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“Ako kasi since day one, tiwala ako sa simula kasi laging sinasabi ni coach [Tina] na kapag gumawa ka ng sarili mong diskarte na wala sa sistema, parang mawawala ka ‘eh,” said Ellarina.
“Parang ibalik lang yung sarili sa pinagensayuhan at pinagtrabahuan namin lagi and everything will follow.”
In a day that saw middle blockers shine for their respective teams, Ellarina underscored the importance of players in her role as they have to be two-way players as they target scoring opportunities both on attacks and kill blocks.
Having an overall balanced showing with her 17-point performance, Ellarina said that it is something that she aims to continue working on as a key role player for Salak, backstopping the likes of wing spikers Faida Bakanke, Chenie Tagaod, and Gerz Petallo.
As teams continue to jockey for position in the second round, Ellarina hopes to continue making her presence felt.
“Mindset ko ngayon is ang pinakaimportate sa amin, since middle blockers kami, parang double time talaga sa blockings. ‘Yon po yung minindset ko sa pagpasok nitong second round na hindi lang puro atake dapat.” she said.
“Kasi nga middle blocker, so dapat blockings yung macontribute sa team and very crucial siya sa sistema na binubuo namin so parang isa ‘yon sa malaking factor na minindset ko na hindii lang dapat aggressive sa attacks, kundi pati sa pagblock din,” she added.
Ellarina and the rest of the FEU Lady Tamaraws will have their hands full in their next game, though, as they face a wounded NU Lady Bulldogs squad on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.