Taking on the role of main middle blocker for Far Eastern University following the departure of now professional player Jean Asis wasn’t easy for Jaz Ellarina.

 

But the 6-foot-1 Lady Tamaraws tower has proven she’s up to the challenge after hosting a block party in a quick work of University of the East for FEU’s first win in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament.

 

Ellarina, now on her second year with the squad after transferring from National University, posted five of the Lady Tamaraws’ 13 kill blocks in a 25-20, 25-14, 25-14, victory over the Lady Warriors on Wednesday at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion.  

 

She finished with 11 points as FEU improved to a 1-1 win-loss record.

 

“To be honest po it’s not easy taking over the shoes of Ate Jean. She’s the one I look up to. When they converted me to middle, I really struggled,” said Ellarina, who used to play opposite spiker. 

 

 

 

“I have a lot of lapses playing as middle blocker. Before, all I wanted to do was to spike. But they explained to me that my task is not just to hit but to fully commit to blocking,” she added.

 

“You can’t accomplish that overnight. It takes process. Until now, I’m still working on it but I’m willing to accept the pressure as a leader and one of the go-to guys on blocks.”

 

FEU’s blocking fared better compared to its net defense in a sorry straight sets loss to De La Salle University after tallying just five kill blocks.

 

Ellarina’s toughness at the net will again be tested when the Lady Tamaraws battle the Sam Cantada-led NU on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.