Tremendous skill comes in a small package as NU libero Shaira Jardio delivers a big defensive performance against La Salle in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals.
There is no job too big for NU libero Shaira Jardio, rising to the occasion in a stacked Game 1 performance on defense for the Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 87 Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
As a defensive specialist, Jardio had the undesirable task of keeping the ball alive against the DLSU Lady Spikers, the best blocking team in the league.
In Game 1, La Salle continued to take advantage of its formidable frontline, but Jardio was able to weather the storm and keep plays alive for the high-scoring Lady Bulldogs. In total, she finished with 18 excellent digs and 18 excellent receptions.
After the match, Jardio said that she simply wanted to do everything she could to keep the ball in play, especially knowing that she had teammates who have her back.
“Yung naging mindset ko lang [sa Game 1] is dun lang ako sa pwesto ko, and walang lalapag na bola dun sa pwesto ko,” Jardio told reporters.
“Kasi alam ko naman sila ate Bella [Belen] tutulungan ako sa likod,” she added.
Belen truly did have Jardio’s back, coming up with 15 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions herself. The MVP frontrunner had another triple-double to boot, also tallying 19 markers.
But the brunt of the responsibility still fell on Jardio, especially as she only had IC Cepada to support her for one set in the four-canto match. Knowing what’s at stake, Jardio dug deep in her preparation, and never took her eyes off of the prize.
“Nag-focus ako sa bola talaga kasi di mo malalaman yung blockings talaga ng La Salle dahil super dukot yung blockings nila,” she said.
With the Lady Bulldogs now on the cusp of back-to-back titles, Jardio said that she’ll simply revert back to the drawing board and do what works against the Lady Spikers. For the defensive specialist, there isn’t room for error as they try to close things out in Game 2.
“Confident ako, 101 percent. Kasi, alam kong ilalaban talaga namin na buo kami,” said Jardio on their chances in the next game.
“Mindset [namin] siguro, same padin nung Game 1. Kailangan lang namin puliduhin lang namin lalo na sa blockings,” she added.