By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Bacolodnon Jermaine Joniega is set to fulfill her dream of playing in Manila as she makes her San Beda University Lady Red Spikers debut in the NCAA Season 100 women’s volleyball tournament scheduled for early 2025.

The 5-foot-8 Joniega is now eligible to play for the Lady Red Spikers after completing her one-year residency following her transfer from University of St. La Salle Bacolod last year.

“I can say that playing for a prestigious school like San Beda, is a huge blessing and opportunity for me as a volleyball player,” Joniega told Watchmen Daily Journal yesterday.

“I am just very thankful to the San Beda coaching staff for taking a chance at me, and I can say that I will not waste this opportunity and give my whole dedication in practices and games,” she added.

Joniega, a former standout of the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts, also said she is excited to help the Lady Red Spikers have a better campaign in the upcoming NCAA season.

“Originally, I played the middle blocker position when I was still in Bacolod, but coach Edgar [Barroga] is letting me play the opposite spiker and open hitter position,” Joniega said.

“But regardless of the playing position, I am willing to adapt,” she said.

“What I can assure the team is that I will always bring with me my willingness to win and to cooperate with my teammates inside the court,” she added.

Joniega is the latest Lady Red Spikers recruit from the Bacolod Tay Tung High School volleyball program, aside from Sophie Cagalawan, Gwen Banas, Patricoa Hiponia, and Amber Lily Biong.

“Coming from one of the best high school volleyball programs in the country, we are confident that she will play a key role to the success of our team,” Lady Red Spikers assistant coach Ray Rosales said.

“San Beda would like to thank [Bacolod Tay Tung team manager] Jose Montalbo for the trust and confidence to the San Beda Volleyball Program. We acknowledge his vision for developing young talented players to succeed in the sport,” he added./ASC, WDJ