After a remarkable collegiate career that saw her help resurrect the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws’ volleyball program, middle blocker Jean Asis is ready for the next leap.
With the full blessing of her head coach and volleyball legend Tina Salak, Asis has officially declared for the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Draft—an emotional yet confident move that symbolizes the end of a fulfilling chapter and the start of a new journey.
Standing at 5-foot-10, Asis was a pillar of strength in the middle for FEU, anchoring their defense and providing crucial points in the team's back-to-back Final Four runs in the UAAP. More importantly, she was a key figure in transforming the Lady Tamaraws from dark horse to legitimate contenders—twice pushing powerhouse National University to the brink in the semifinals.
"For me, siguro na-fulfill ko na yung role ko sa FEU. Nakapagpaalam naman na ako sa coaches ng maayos—sa may-ari, sa managers,” Asis shared, her voice tinged with both gratitude and resolve.
“Yung pagpunta ko sa PVL, another stepping stone siya for me sa career ko. Luckily, okay naman sa coaches and teammates ko, kaya magaan sa loob.”
Before making her decision official, Asis—along with teammates Chenie Tagaod and Ann Monares—sat down for a heartfelt conversation with Salak, a former national team setter who returned to steer the Lady Tamaraws during Asis’ final years. That meeting, according to Asis, was crucial in shaping her mindset about what lies ahead.
"Sobrang dami nilang advices. Isa na doon yung lagi nilang paalala sa akin na sobrang layo ng buhay sa collegiate level kumpara sa pros,” she recalled.
“Mas kailangan kong i-ready yung sarili ko, mas maging mapagkumbaba, at marunong makisama sa kapwa.”
The shift from UAAP to PVL is no small task. The competition is tougher, the stakes higher, and the lifestyle completely different. But for Asis, whose volleyball journey began in high school at FEU-Diliman and continued seamlessly into college, the transition feels like a natural progression rather than a jarring change.
"Siguro sa akin po, yung experience ko. Kasi from high school to college, nag-UAAP na ako. Siguro mas alam ko—hindi naman sa mas alam—but yung experience ko talaga yung mas bumuo sa akin bilang middle blocker. Siguro yun na rin yung advantage ko."
That experience may prove invaluable as Asis joins a draft class projected to include several top-tier middle blockers. But even in the face of competition, she remains grounded and hopeful, carrying not only her learnings but also the legacy of a program that has seen steady resurgence under her generation.
Looking back, Asis remains optimistic about the Lady Tamaraws' future. She believes that the foundation they laid will be carried forward by the new faces rising through the ranks.
"Nakita ko naman yung mga bago, lalo na yung mga kaposisyon ko—especially yung rookies. For me, siguro kaya pa rin nilang ituloy yung naumpisahan namin,” she said with pride.
“Kita naman this Season 87, isa sila sa mga nag-contribute sa team. Kahit off yung mga ate, andoon sila para i-cover up yung lapses. Feel ko talaga kaya nila."
