Barina-Rojas took up the sport of volleyball when she was pursuing a college course on accounting at the Southwestern University in Cebu City. She was part of the Philippines women's national volleyball team that won the gold medal at the 1981, 1985, 1987 and 1993 Southeast Asian Games. She was named Most Valuable Player and Best Open Spiker in the 1987 edition, and the Best Service Receiver in the 1991 edition.