A recipient of multiple Best Libero awards herself, Dawn Catindig was in awe of Justine Jazareno’s determination to show out for Alas Pilipinas.
Count on La Sallian excellence to bleed into the national team after Justine Jazareno followed in the footsteps of veteran teammate Dawn Catindig, winning Best Libero in Alas Pilipinas’ recent stint in the SEA V.League.
Jazareno, who was Catindig’s contemporary during their stint in Vietnam earlier this month, sweetened the campaign for Alas who finished with the bronze medal in the second leg — making it four podium finishes in a row in the zonal tournament.
For Catindig, it was an inspiring experience to watch her teammate and protege blossom into her own player.
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Especially after returning to volleyball as a mother, Jazareno had more than a few hurdles that she had to conquer to reach the level that she did for Alas.
“Kay Justine, sobrang proud ako sa kanya kasi nakita ko talaga na kung paano niya gustuhin talaga na maglaro for the national team. Ang dami niyang pinagdaanan and even before national team, ang dami niyang pinagdaanan,” Catindig told One Sports after Cignal’s win over ZUS Coffee in the 2025 PVL Invitational.
“Pero talagang tinrabaho niya na makabalik sa volleyball, sa sport na mahal niya and sobrang proud kaming lahat sa kanya kasi yun nga, na tinrabaho niya talaga lahat,” she added.
Catindig herself had been named Best Libero in the same tournament back in 2019, which is why it’s easy to see that she was reminded of her own journey because of Jazareno.
Though already in the thick of her professional career, with many accolades to her name, Catindig said that Jazareno’s success has helped her renew her love for the sport.
“For sure [nakikita ko yung sarili ko kay Justine], kasi, syempre, tatak RDJ kami,” Catindig quipped, alluding to La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus’ winning system in the UAAP.
“Nandoon yung grit talaga, yung palaban, yung ayaw matalo and in a way, na-remind din yung sarili ko na ganun din ako before. So parang ngayon, may renewed passion ako sa volleyball dahil sa mga naging teammates ko,” she added.
[READ: PNVF clears Alas Pilipinas Women to return to PVL clubs before end of national team period]
In the meantime, Catindig and Jazareno are back with their clubs in the PVL, with Catindig rejoining Cignal in the PVL Invitational and Jazareno with the Akari Chargers before returning for the national team later this year with the SEA Games in Thailand.