First international individual award adds fuel to Jazareno’s drive to improve more
Justine Jazareno just bagged a first individual award in an international tournament, and the Best Libero of the Southeast Asia V-League’s Leg 2 just got even more motivated to put in the time.
“Hard work truly pays off,” Jazareno told the Inquirer in Filipino. “And [winning the award] doesn’t mean I will stop, because it also serves as an added motivation in pursuing more than what I can do.”
Alas Pilipinas copped a fourth straight bronze medal with the help of Jazareno’s floor defense and the team just can’t wait for the 33rd SEA Games to roll along later this year, where they will try to end a 20-year wait for a medal in women’s volleyball.
“The hunger to play is definitely still there, to improve every day and keep surpassing my limits,” she added.
Jazareno said that she was emotional receiving the award in front of her mentor, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, the first national team player to win the Best Libero in the SEA V-League in 2019.
“I actually cried that time,” she said. ‘Because really, who wouldn’t be emotional when you get to play alongside someone who was once the best libero in the country.
“It’s so heartwarming that she took the time to help and mentor me, even while she had her responsibilities with the team,” Jazareno said in thanking Macandili-Catindig. “I’m honestly out of words with how thankful I am. I may not say it to her often, but every time I play with her, I find comfort.”
More than her individual accolade and another bronze medal finish, Jazareno relished the stronger bond that the team has formed in the two legs of the SEA V-League, hoping to sustain it for their bigger tournament this year in the Thailand Games.
“Throughout the two leagues, we were able to really build a strong connection. We became closer,” she said. “Since the league lasted quite a while, we really stuck to the system. We trusted each other and believed that nothing is impossible as long as we’re together.
“Win or lose, we always take something valuable from the experience and that’s what keeps us going.”
