By Krizza Gabrielle Tabora
Following a standout debut in University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88, Far Eastern University (FEU) courtside reporter Juri Marasigan returns for her second consecutive year as the Tamaraws’ correspondent for Season 89.
During Season 88, the then second-year communication student debuted as the bridge between the student-athletes’ voices and the FEU community.
As Marasigan returns for her second stint, she aims to continue sharing stories with a renewed sense of purpose and build a stronger connection within the green-and-gold community, especially with FEU serving as this season’s host.
“That’s why this season, especially FEU’s hosting, I really want and I’m hoping that this season will be our season. Personally, I just want to deliver stories that involve everyone kasi nga ‘For Everyone, UAAP,’ so that there may be deeper relationships and connections within the team, the staff, the coaches, [and] the FEU community,” she shared in an online interview with FEU Advocate.
Reflecting on her debut season, the Morayta-based reporter carries forward the lessons she gained about handling expectations and maintaining composure under the spotlight.
“The lesson learned after that is to really only listen to the people who really matter, and I’m carrying that in my second year as a correspondent… Now I know how to handle when I get bashed, how to connect deeper with the players, how to bounce back after every loss and every bad report, how to have better composure, how to face the expectations,” Marasigan stated.
Pressure into purpose
With FEU taking on hosting duties for Season 89, being the green-and-gold’s courtside reporter brings a new set of challenges. Still, Marasigan remains firm in channeling such pressure into motivation.
“Nakakapressure na (I feel the pressure that) FEU’s hosting Season 89 like not only me, but I’m sure even the players feel na we have to be great at what we do, if not [the] best. It’s really about how we handle that pressure and turn it into a purpose to do our jobs better,” the Tamaraw expressed.
Aside from Marasigan, all seven correspondents from Season 88 are also returning to represent their respective universities this year.
For the Morayta-based courtside reporter, having her batchmates with her fosters a strong support system as they once again fulfill their roles as the voices behind the student-athletes.
“Coming into Season 89, my heart is happy to be with all eight of them again. I think I wouldn’t be here, I wouldn’t be the same, if it weren’t for them. They were and are my support system. We’re all in this together, as they say — through ups and downs, through tears and laughter, through wins and losses, through all the bashing and the support,” she said.
With the UAAP men’s basketball tournament unfolding, Marasigan dons the green-and-gold spirit as she steps onto the sidelines, ready to highlight the human stories behind the jersey numbers once more.
(Photo by Jhanraine Manansala/FEU Advocate)