UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas’ former girls volleyball captain Jaila Adrao broke her silence on her untimely exit from España after Golden Tigresses head coach Kungfu Reyes alluded to an ‘unethical' recruitment ploy on the school.
In an interview with The Varsitarian, the university’s student publication, the 16-year-old delved into specifics on the reasons behind her move to National University-Nazareth School (NUNS),
READ: Kungfu rues 'unethical' UST HS star exit: 'You can't buy loyalty'
Three major factors came into play and led her to call it quits with UST.
The first of which was the lack of consistency on her playing position — one that she believes has significantly hampered her personal development.
“Feeling ko po kasi ang bagal po ng improvements ko lalo na po pinapalipat-lipat po ako ng position,” Adrao said.
“Sa UST system po kasi, paiba-iba po ‘yong pwesto ko, and ang hirap po mag-focus. Parang ‘di po ako nag-iimprove dahil paiba-iba [ako ng position].”
Further illustrating her point, Adrao pointed to the team’s vast 30-plus player pool overseen by one or two coaches - meaning that she didn't receive ample one-of-one training sessions.
“Paminsan po sa training, isa o dalawa lang po ‘yung coach namin. Kapag offseason po, halos ‘di po kami masyado natututukan [kasi] sobrang dami po namin,” she said.
Lastly, Adrao lamented the team’s hectic six-day, two-hour training schedules which she deemed to be far from ideal for her as a student-athlete compared to what NUNS has presented.
Refuting public claims
Adrao also clarified key details which have surfaced following Reyes’ supposed blanket statement on recent recruitment activities involving the school.
For starters, the ex-UST captain bared that she was already set on transferring to NUNS a year ago after finishing junior high school.
She and her family would then be convinced to play one more year with UST.
After months of talks with NUNS, Adrao reached out to Reyes late in April to notify him of her impending transfer and submitted the necessary exit documents thereafter.
As the former Junior Tigress becomes a Lady Bullpup, Adrao made it clear how she’ll always be imbued with unending grace for her brief stay in España.
And leaving the black-and-gold was only about growth and nothing more. It wasn’t about money either.
“‘Yung sa mental health side ko po, [naapektuhan] kasi may mga nagme-message po sa akin tapos kung ano-ano pong sinasabi,” Adrao said.
“‘Yung family ko rin po naaapektuhan since sabi po kasi na may offer daw po na pera. Wala naman po.”
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