Twenty-Four-year-old Justine Jazareno is juggling many different roles aside from being a libero for Akari in the Premier Volleyball League.
Jazareno made her much-anticipated debut in the Premier Volleyball League for Akari, demonstrating her defensive abilities despite a tough 25-22, 25-16, 25-15 loss to the PLDT High Speed Hitters.
Sharing libero duties with Max Juangco, Jazareno recorded 10 excellent digs from 19 attempts, contributing significantly to Akari’s defense in the match. Despite the defeat, her performance highlighted her readiness for the challenges of the league.
A prized libero, Jazareno honed her skills under the guidance of coach Ramil de Jesus at De La Salle University, and her debut comes with high expectations. After almost a year away from competitive play, she admitted that readjusting to the pace of the game has been challenging.
“It’s overwhelming because I’ve been away for almost a year. I’m still adjusting,” Jazareno said after the match. Akari now holds a 3-4 record and sits in eighth place in the standings.
Off the court, Jazareno is a full-time student at La Salle, pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. Balancing her academic workload with the demands of volleyball and motherhood, Jazareno has developed effective time management skills.
“Time management is key. We train from morning to afternoon, and then I spend time with my baby after. I’m also working on my thesis, so it’s all about managing my time,” she explained.
For Jazareno, her son is her biggest motivation, providing her with the energy to push through her busy schedule.
“It’s more about added inspiration. After training, you feel exhausted, but when you get home, you’re not tired anymore. My son gives me that extra energy,” she said, reflecting on the joy and motivation her child brings into her life.