FEATURE: A gem named Eshana

Alta Sports3 months ago · 292 views

Photo: UAAP

By Nate Castillo

De La Salle University head coach Ramil De Jesus knows talent when he sees one.

When the stoic mentor fielded an untested and unknown rookie Eshaha Nunag as the starting setter to begin the Lady Spikers’ redemption tour in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament, many thought De Jesus was only giving the freshman some combat experience.

Photo: UAAP

But De Jesus, a 12-time league champion, had just shown his trump card.

Three games into the season, La Salle is already stamping its class by going undefeated without dropping a single set.

All thanks to the first-year playmaker that De Jesus, admittedly, didn’t know much about until Nunag entered her senior year at the La Salle Integrated School in Taft Avenue.

"Actually, when she was in high school, I barely watched her play,” De Jesus bared.

“Not until she came to me as a senior high, since I let my son (Gian) coach the high school team, that’s when I noticed something in her.”

De Jesus found a diamond in the rough that turn into one of La Salle’s finest gems alongside other accomplished Lady Spikers setters in Chie Saet, Kim Fajardo, Michelle Cobb, Mars Alba, Julia Coronel and Julyana Tolentino.

“What I saw in her, I thought it’s possible that she can be our main setter when she gets into college,” he said.

“She sets really fast and accurately, fearless on defense and very determined. And that’s what’s important."

Photo: UAAP

The 19-year-old playmaker did not disappoint in La Salle’s dominating wins over Far Eastern University, University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines.

Nunag averaged 14.3 excellent sets per game and effectively utilized La Salle’s attacking options with good ball distribution that kept the opposition guessing on defense.

Photo: UAAP

Nunag cherished the opportunity and trust given to her to help in the Lady Spikers’ mission to reclaim the crown they last won three years ago.

“Of course, it’s nerve-wracking at first as a freshman included in the first six. But with the help of the coaches and my Ates (seniors), I’m confident that they will be there for me, and for the team,” she said.

Nunag’s perfectly fits the missing piece of the puzzle for La Salle, which is looking ready to take the throne with veterans Angel Canino, skipper Shevana Laput and Amie Provido.

Photo: UAAP

“We can see the steadiness in her since the opening game. We can see that she can hold her own against other seasoned setters. Hopefully, she’ll sustain her fine game as our steadiest setter in the tournament,” La Salle deputy Noel Orcullo said.

“Actually, Eshana is not really someone new. She’s been training with us since senior high school. We’re able to incorporate her into the system of Coach Ramil early. So, she just needs to get more exposure and experience playing in big games.”

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