Rising ace Jazareno takes on Alas PH’s floor-defending chores
The last time Alas Pilipinas libero Justine Jazareno played with very familiar faces, she won a UAAP title with them.
Reunited with her La Salle teammates, Jazareno is raring to achieve new things, this time for the country, in the SEA V-League starting on Friday in Thailand.
Jazareno, who had a great showing in the VTV Cup, earned a spot in the women’s national volleyball team, reuniting with Angel Canino, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz and Mars Alba, who brought back the glory to La Salle in Season 85’s women’s volleyball tournament two years ago.
“Being able to play with them again is the most fulfilling experience. We’ve known each other for a long time, and even if we’re now from different teams, being together again, we know how to give each other confidence and comfort,” Jazareno told the Inquirer in Filipino.
Jazareno and the Lady Spikers try to surpass Alas’ two bronze medals last year in the first leg of the SEA V-League, and they will face an acid test right away in defending champion Thailand at 6 p.m.
The nationals play in a round-robin tournament, facing Vietnam and Indonesia over the weekend before the Second Leg from Aug. 8 to Aug. 10 in Vietnam.
Aside from her former UAAP teammates, the 25-year-old Jazareno also relished the opportunity to share the court with three-time La Salle champion and longtime national team member Dawn Macandili-Catindig, who took the Akari playmaker under her wing.
“Ate Dawn’s leadership really helps me focus more on what I need to improve. Whenever I struggle with something, she’s always there to guide me. Her veteran presence and maturity inside the court give me a confidence boost. I always look up to her,” said the new Alas libero.
Jazareno has been playing well since taking a maternity leave last year, juggling her studies, pro career, her family, and her role as a national team player.
She helped Akari win bronze in the 2024 to 2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference and proved to be a good floor defender in Alas’ fourth place in the VTV Cup last month.
Playing in the national team’s last tournament before the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, Jazareno is eager to provide a steady presence for Alas against their rivals in the region.
“My goal here is to stay present and composed, especially during games and crucial moments. I want to help the team and gain valuable experience that can boost my volleyball career, something I can bring with me wherever I go, even when I return to my mother team,” said Jazareno.
Jazareno will also team up with the runner-up of the AVC Nations Cup, led by captain Jia De Guzman, Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler, Dell Palomata, Shaina Nitura, Cla Loresco and Maddie Madayag, who returned to the national squad in the VTV Cup.
“It’s really overwhelming and heartwarming. As a player, it means a lot when your coaches and teammates trust you. It makes the game more enjoyable and I just focus on playing the sport I love because of that trust,” she said.
