UAAP 85 JRS. BEST LIBERO JURIS MANUEL TO REMAIN A FALCON IN COLLEGE
“Kung saan ka itinanim ni Lord, doon ka mamumunga.”
These words of wisdom from Adamson Baby Falcons head coach JP Yude may seem simple but it served a huge purpose for the future of Adamson University’s volleyball program: The retention of high school standout Juris Manuel, to be exact.
It may have taken the UAAP Season 85 Girls’ Volley best libero time to decide on where she would bring her talents in the seniors division but the guidance from the entirety of Adamson, especially those that came from her coaches, made her realize that she is home.
“It was hard. I needed to consider the environment, the coaches, and my future teammates. ‘Yung pag-akyat po ng college is a big decision kaya pinag-isipan ko po talaga ng maayos,” she told Akari Sports.
“Since Grade 8 dito na po ako dinala ni Lord and sobrang na-appreciate ko po yung pag guide po sa’kin nila coach Yude, coach Leo and coach Darlton. Isa po sila sa reason ko why i choose to stay here kasi alam ko sila yung trusted people ko sa buhay ko ngayon na makakatulong sakin mag grow and be matured in life,” she added.
On her last hurrah with the Baby Falcons, Manuel took charge of the team’s back row defense with her steady reception and her breathtaking saves while also providing leadership support to team captain Shaina Nitura.
Her impeccable performance did not go unnoticed as the libero soon received invitations to try out other schools for college.
But with Adamson’s women’s team ending their nine-year Final Four drought, the deal was sealed for Manuel to stay put.
“Malaking bagay po sa decision ko na naka-semis ‘yung women’s team. Na-inspire ako na umangat sa women’s team kasi gusto ko makipagsabayan sa kanila. Tsaka gusto ko rin po maibigay pa kung anong kaya ko for Adamson sa college,” she shared.
With this commitment, the 18-year old incoming rookie will be joining her high school teammates Red Bascon, Eloi Aljibe, and Jao Cuenca in the Falcons’ nest as they all decided to stay put in San Marcelino.
Manuel will also reunite with Lady Falcons Kate Santiago and Trisha Tubu.
“Ito po ‘yung will ni God para sa’kin. Ito po ‘yung door na nakahanda para sa akin. I’m just taking the path na ibinigay niya sa akin. And with the help of the coaches and my high school teachers, naramdaman ko po na grabe ang suporta ng Adamson community. Na-feel ko po talaga ang alagang Adamson at Akari,” she said.
The wonderful experienced she’s had over the past four years was also enough for the Rizal native’s parents to completely trust her when she made the huge decision.
“‘Yung family ko po supported me sa desisyon ko kasi they trust me and they trust Adamson and Akari na nasa good environment po ako,” she said.
Manuel’s entry is expected to bolster Adamson’s floor defense which is currently being guarded by her fellow liberos Karen Verdeflor and Cae Lazo.
