Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/sports/01/ladyeagles-013116.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Gizelle Tan wears No. 7 in the Ateneo squad. Josh Albelda, <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/volleyball">ABS-CBN Sports</a></div></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – The last time Gizelle Tan entered the San Juan Arena, she was the starting setter of the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles. On Sunday, she entered the venue as the team&#x27;s libero, marking the first time she officially played the position.During the Shakey&#x27;s V-League, Tan served as the team&#x27;s setter with usual starter Jia Morado recovering from a knee operation. After the tournament ended in October, she began her transition to becoming a libero, replacing former Ateneo stars Denden Lazaro and Ella de Jesus.Her hard work since then was put to the test on Sunday, when the Lady Eagles opened their three-peat bid against the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs. Her career as a libero started somewhat shakily – she struggled at times to receive NU&#x27;s serves and failed to dig strong attacks from Jaja Santiago, Myla Pablo and Jorelle Singh.Yet as the game went on, Tan seemingly grew into her role, and the Lady Eagles&#x27; level play of elevated. By the third set, with Tan digging a Pablo attack with relative ease, the Lady Eagles were on cruise control and on their way to a 25-21, 25-19, 25-14 win.(READ: <a href="http:// http://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2016/01/31/lady-eagles-tame-lady-bulldogs-straight-sets-8401">Lady Eagles tame Lady Bulldogs in straight sets</a>)&quot;I think we played okay,&quot; Tan said after the win. &quot;I mean, pinakita namin &#x27;yung na-training namin.&quot;Of her own performance, Tan said: &quot;I can&#x27;t critique myself, but I think I played okay. But I have to train more and learn from my experiences, kasi it&#x27;s my first game as a libero.&quot;Tan was credited with nine successful receptions after the game.Tan admitted that she feels the pressure to fill in the shoes of not just the multi-awarded Lazaro but De Jesus – who served as Ateneo&#x27;s libero in the V-League – as well.&quot;Super big shoes to fill,&quot; she said. &quot;Si Denden (was) best libero, best receiver, and before, we didn&#x27;t have a hard time with receives and defense, because Den was there and now I have to fill her shoes.&quot;&quot;Denden is really a good player,&quot; she added. &quot;She&#x27;s one of the best.&quot;Lazaro and De Jesus have done their part to help Tan out. The two former Ateneo stars texted the new libero with tips on the tendencies of certain players as well as with words of encouragement. Moreover, Tan knows she has her teammates&#x27; and coaches&#x27; support as she transitions from one difficult position to another.&quot;I meditate, I pray, I talk to my teammates and coaches na, help me out. And they really help me out,&quot; she said, even as Tan also acknowledged that she also has more to improve on.&quot;I think I need to read the spikes (better), be aggressive inside the court – be extra aggressive,&quot; she said.As it is, Tan already drew praise from Ateneo star Alyssa Valdez for her performance in the first game.&quot;The adjustment, being a setter to libero, it&#x27;s really hard,&quot; Valdez said. &quot;Alam niya kung gaano kahirap mag-set ng walang receive. So siguro, &#x27;yun ang nasa mindset niya and sobrang hard-working ng mga bata.&quot;<div>(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website.</a>)</div>

The last time Gizelle Tan entered the San Juan Arena, she was the starting setter of the Ateneo Lady Eagles. On Sunday, she entered the venue as the team's libero, marking the first time she officially played the position.

Gizelle Tan makes successful debut as Ateneo libero

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Gizelle Tan makes successful debut as Ateneo libero

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 31, 2016 07:43 PM PHT

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Updated Feb 01, 2016 02:30 AM PHT

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