By allowing himself to have fun, Jade Disquitado gets the job done while providing a jolt of positive energy for the NU Bulldogs.
More than being a key cog within National University’s offense, outside hitter Jade Disquitado has made his impact for the five-peat seeking Bulldogs through the energy that he provides on the Taraflex.
Those who follow the UAAP on social media may have seen various clips of Disquitado’s expressive dance moves, or even his routine videobombs during timeouts. In a team that thrives off positive energy, it goes without saying that the second-year spiker has been key to maintaining that type of culture within Jhocson.
For Disquitado, it’s all about allowing himself to get loose while playing the sport that he loves, knowing that volleyball shouldn’t be feeling like a job in the first place.
“Gusto ko lang mag-enjoy and magsaya sa loob ng court, kasi ‘yung volleyball naman kasi hindi naman all about palakasan ‘yan eh. Kailangan mo din i-enjoy ‘yung laro para ‘yung masaya ka sa ginagawa mo, hindi ka napapagod ganon,” he told The GAME in an exclusive interview after NU wrapped up the elimination rounds against the UST Golden Spikers over the weekend.
While others may see his moves as a bout of complacency, Disquitado reiterates that it’s only a reflection of his happiness to play volleyball. It may not show when they are celebrating, but he and National U have gotten the job done anyways throughout the UAAP season.
The Bulldogs finished with a 12-2 elimination round record in their five-peat bid for Season 87, and will enter the Final Four as the second seed with a twice-to-beat advantage over the UST Golden Spikers.
Disquitado, meanwhile, averaged 12.63 points in eight elimination round games played, which includes his season-high 23 points on 22-of-38 spiking efficiency, and a block against the Golden Spikers to wrap up eliminations.
“Wala, masaya lang. Kasi masaya naman ako sa ginagawa ko eh… Sa training pa lang kasi ganun na kami eh, medyo may harutan, pero at the same time, naka-focus pa rin kami sa ginagawa namin,” said the Season 86 Rookie of the Year.
Head coach Dante Alinsunurin pointed out the value of having players like Jade Disquitado, while stressing that their energy should only be used to uplift their teammates, and never as a form of trash talk toward opposing teams.
With the Final Four coming up, Alinsunurin said, it’s these types of high-energy players that will act as a ray of positivity when pressure starts to creep in during crunch time.
“Kapag may tao kang ganyan na nagkokontrol sayo and negative ‘yung nilalaro ng team is nandyan sya. Alam mo ‘yun, onti onti nama-maximize namin ‘yung gusto naming gawin kasi ‘yun nga, meron taong nagsisimula,” Alinsunurin told The GAME in a separate interview.
“Kasi bibihira naman ‘yun sa team na lahat talaga seryosong ginagawa, then pag may mga ganyan, mas lalo silang nabuboost pag nagsa-struggle.”
Images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.