By ADRIAN STEWART CO
San Beda University Lady Red Spikers shored up its roster for the NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball tournament with the arrival of new recruits Justine Therase Sillo and Jayde dela Cruz.
Sillo, a product of Iloilo’s Sta. Barbara National Comprehensive High School, said being the first Santa Barbaranhon to be recruited in Manila gives her added motivation to improve further as a volleyball player.
“I am happy and blessed to be the first Santa Barbaranhon to be recruited to play for a prestigious school like San Beda University,” the 5-foot-8 middle blocker said in an interview with Watchmen Daily Journal yesterday.
“It was also my dream to continue my volleyball career in Manila. So I am very thankful to San Beda for this rare opportunity,” she said.
“I will try my best to give pride and honor to Ilonggos and San Beda University,” she added.
Sillo is joining the growing list of Western Visayas-based recruits, in Lady Red Spikers, namely Sophie Cagalawan, Gwen Bañas, Amber Lily Biong, Jachryl Casugod, Erich Belo Bula, Gina Espina, and transferee Reyann Cañete.
Dela Cruz, who previously played for Sta. Elena High School in Marikina City, said she chose to commit to the Lady Red Spikers as she wants to be part of its renaissance in the NCAA.
“Volleyball has been a part of my life for several years and I have developed a deep understanding of the game,” Dela Cruz said.
“I am deeply committed to volleyball and I hope to rub off my passion to my San Beda teammates,” she said.
“Naniniwala ako na every player may kanya-kanyang responsibilidad to uphold the highest standards of behaviour on and off the court,” the 5-foot-8 opposite hitter said.
“With that, I believe that we can be a better team each game,” she added.
The Lady Red Spikers were aiming to recover from a dismal ninth place finish during the NCAA Season 98 women’s volleyball tournament earlier this year, where they only won one of their nine matches.
The Mendiola-based volleybelles were looking forward to a brighter campaign in the upcoming season with the changes in its coaching staff, which the school will announce in the upcoming days./ASC, WDJ