SETTER JAO CUENCA COMMITS TO ADAMSON LADY FALCONS
Even without TV coverage for the recently-concluded UAAP Season 85 Girls’ Volleyball Tournament, setter Jao Cuenca already captured the attention of volleyball fans online through game clips posted by Akari Sports.
Her fake jump before a steady set and her fast plays even garnered some comparisons to ex-Adamson playmaker Fhen Emnas and current Lady Falcons team captain Louie Romero.
But will Cuenca follow Emnas and Romero’s footsteps and continue playing for Adamson now that she’s about to graduate from senior high school?
The answer is a resounding yes.
“Pinag-isipan ko rin po ang pipiliing school sa college kasi that’s a huge deal po. Future po ang nakataya dun. Saan ako mapupunta. Saan ako mag-aaral. Saan ako maglalaro,” she said.
“In my heart po, pinili ko po ang Adamson kasi dito na po talaga ako palagay,” Cuenca revealed to Akari Sports.
Though the Baby Falcons came up short this season in their hunt for a title finishing in second place behind NUNS, the support from Adamson and its community, and the extra boost from Akari made Cuenca feel at home enough to stay—a decision fully supported by her parents.
“Throughout my time po sa Adamson, I felt complete po. Nahanap ko po ‘yung second family ko. Kahit malayo sa family ko, sa kanila ko po nahanap ‘yung care po. Tinuring ko nang home ang Adamson,” she said.
“This season din po naramdaman ko na nabuhay ‘yung suporta ng community sa amin sa live games man or sa online through Akari kaya I look forward for more of that,” she added.
Despite other offers for her to transfer, Cuenca said she already talked to Adamson women’s volleyball team head coach Jerry Yee about moving up to the seniors team and training under his program.
With this commitment, Cuenca will soon be training and playing with the likes of Romero, Trisha Tubu, Kate Santiago, Lucilla Almonte, Lorene Toring, and Rizza Cruz among others.
