By Aimerose C. Atienza

Incoming rookie Shianly Colyn Zerna looked forward to the redemption of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws in the upcoming University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season 85 after a lackluster finish in the last season of the collegiate league.

“Kaya rin po nandito ako ngayon because bago nga po lahat [and] gusto ko pong ma-challenge ‘yung team. Goal ko nga po is hindi na mauulit ‘yung nangyari sa previous season. Tataas kami (That's why I'm here now because everything is new [and] I want to challenge the team. My goal is to not repeat what happened in the previous season. We will rise),” Zerna said in an online interview with FEU Advocate.

The five-foot-nine middle blocker shared that it was her former Naga College Foundation coach Parley Tupaz who made ways for her to play for the Lady Tamaraws.

“When Coach Tupaz heard po that Miss Dzi [Gervacio], who is his former player po in Ateneo, ay may position sa sporting staff ng FEU, nagcontact po sila (has a position in the sporting staff of FEU, they contacted each other), and Miss Dzi and Coach Rei [Diaz Jr.], nagpunta sila sa Bicol and doon po nila ako nakita (they went to Bicol and they saw me play there),” she said.

Aside from FEU, the Volley Prep Volleyball Club Championship 2021 Best Middle Blocker also mentioned that the reigning UAAP women’s volleyball champions National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs and bronze medalist Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Lady Eagles also offered her to be in their team.

“Nandito po ako ngayon sa FEU kasi sila ‘yung parang interested talaga (I am now here in FEU because they showed that they are really interested),” Zerna stated.

The Dumaguete-native  felt the adjustments quite overwhelming as the Lady Tamaraws are still in transition following the appointment of new head coach Tina Salak.

“Sobrang overwhelming po ‘yung ways dito and ‘yung system (The ways and the system are so overwhelming) so I have to improve, to work hard and to double time po to hopefully contribute po for the team,” she shared.

The Morayta-based squad will try to find its way back to the Final Four since its last appearance in UAAP season 81. 

(Photo courtesy of Shianly Colyn Zerna)