FEU’s Barbie Jamili during a game against College of St. Benilde in the Shakey’s Super League. Photo by Shakey’s Super League
MANILA, Philippines—Barbie Jamili chose Far Eastern University as her college school, wanting to take on new opportunities and have a new beginning.
The 19-year-old spiker, who is a product of the successful Nazareth School of National University program, said she saw a lot of opportunities in Morayta. And she took the chance right away when she made an impressive debut as a Lady Tamaraw in the Shakey’s Super League on Saturday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
“I want to take new opportunities and open my door to another school for a new beginning,” said Jamili in Filipino.
The young Cebuana delivered the game-winning ace to complete a come-from-behind victory over NCAA champion College of Saint Benilde, 25-20, 24-26, 19-25, 25-20, 15-11, on Saturday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Jamili had her moments in the first two sets but lost steam in the third and fourth. When FEU was holding a precarious 13-11 lead in the fifth set, FEU coach Tina Salak subbed her in as a server. The rookie admitted she felt nervous, but her eagerness to contribute made her execute a good service.
“I felt nervous but I just did my part to contribute to our team,” she said. “We just played our game without pressure. Because coach told us to do so.”
Salak, who made a successful debut as FEU head coach, was confident with Jamili’s service and floor defense, which paid off as the spiker got the job done.
“She is still making little adjustments with our team because she is a late addition to our program. We’re not pushing her to rush things. But I’ve known Barbie since high school, I am confident that she can make (those adjustments),” Salak said in Filipino.
Although she is a late addition to a rebuilding program and still has some adjustments to make, the Tourism student felt at home with her new team.
“They are easy to get along with. I’m happy to be on this team,” Jamili said. “Coach Tina trusts everyone from our team. That’s why we’re doing our best.”
Jamili is on a mission to help the winningest UAAP women’s volleyball team rise from a disappointing last-place finish in Season 84. And she’s willing to do everything for her chosen school to repay the trust of her coach and teammates.
“(I am willing) to do everything to contribute to the team because all of us can contribute and our coach really trusts each one of us,” she said.