Despite the demands of being a student-athlete and the struggles within his family, Jelord Talisayan still managed to deliver in Chef on a Diet-FEU's debut win over PGJC-Navy in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.
“Yung pamilya ko. Kasi the past few days hindi ko na sila naco-contact kasi sobrang busy ko na sa school, tapos may mga problema din sila na dinadamdam ko,” revealed Talisayan shortly after the victory.
Talisayan, who played a key role in the Tamaraw’s comeback from a 0-2 deficit, fired the differential hits that completed FEU’s dramatic 21-25, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 15-12 win over the experienced Sealions at the Paco Arena.
The former Baby Tamaraw scored two crucial points in a crucial 3-0 run that gave FEU a 12-10 advantage in the fifth set. This opened up the opportunity for Dryx Saavedra and Lirick Mendoza to put on the finishing touches and help the Tamaraws score a winning debut in Pool D.
“Siguro kumapit lang kami. Yun yung parang sinasabi ko nung nasa loob kami ng court saka hindi namin minamadali yung laban kasi alam naman natin na yung Navy, parang pro na sila,” said Talisayan, who was part of the Sabong International team that brought down Global Remit, mostly composed of Navy players, in the 2021 PNVF Champions League.
“Magaling na sila, marami na silang laro na nilalaruan, saka yung mga kuya din namin nandun. Ayun, kinapitan lang talaga namin yung laro. Hindi kami nag-give up hanggang matapos yung laro,” he added.
Talisayan admitted that his current situation kind of affected his play to start the game.
But instead of letting it drag him down, the pride of Guihulngan, Negros Oriental used it as motivation, putting on a performance that definitely put some UAAP teams on notice – all for his beloved family, and of course, the entire FEU community.
“Pino-problema ko rin. Pero ako, despite na problemahin ko, yun yung nagiging strength ko na ayun nga, para mag-laro nang maayos para sa team, hindi lang para sa sarili ko, para rin sa dito sa family ko sa FEU, sa buong FEU community,” said Talisayan.
“Magandang head start samin papuntang UAAP. Ito yung magiging gauge namin para mas mag-improve pa kami, mas maging composed, saka mas maging consistent sa lahat ng bagay na gagawin namin.”
