AT least one player in every PVL team today has played for La Salle under champion head coach Ramil de Jesus.
In total, that’s 31 former Lady Spikers across 12 squads set to take center stage in the five-month-long 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.
That number alone is yet another testament to the longstanding dynasty back in Taft that has sent countless stars, past and present, to the very top.
Joining the newest class of La Salle aces in the PVL is Julia Coronel, Galeries Tower’s No. 3 overall pick in the inaugural draft earlier this year.
She had to wait a few more months before her pro league debut after skipping last season’s Reinforced Conference to play for Alas Pilipinas.
But even after an opening-day defeat to Akari, Coronel has slotted in well with her new team — and not just as setter.
READ: Soyud explosion, Nisperos' return power Akari's comeback vs. Galeries
Certain in-game rotations had Coronel as an opposite spiker instead of her usual playmaking position, and she still pitched in eight points in a rather unorthodox twist she was more than up for.
“Sinabi ko rin talaga kina coach [Lerma Giron] na kung kailangan nila akong spiker, willing naman din ako kasi I know that I'm also able to deliver in that department,” Coronel said.
“Ayoko namang maging selfish pero parang nire-ready ko lang din sarili ko any time na hugutin ako ni coach at gawin niya akong attacker also.”
Never shall they fail
Such versatility and efficiency are among key attributes of the Lady Spikers’ best crop of talent through years and seasons past.
And it all comes down to the discipline and determination embedded in de Jesus’ winning ways.
“‘Yung system ni coach RDJ and ‘yung culture talaga na in-instill niya sa amin, grounded sa disiplina talaga. That's something I would say na dala-dala ng bawat Lasalian na nandito sa pros," Coronel said.
She then added, “Sobrang laking bagay talaga ‘yun kasi in-instill niya rin talaga sa’min ‘yung winning culture na hindi kami pwede basta-basta lang na natatalo. ‘Yun din ‘yung dinadala ko sa team ko na kailangan namin maging ganu’n.”
Just like two of her mentors and predecessors in Jia de Guzman and Mars Alba, who’ve carved out names for themselves in the PVL, best believe Coronel will make hers stand out, too.
As she put it, “I’m very hopeful naman na I will also get to make my own legacy. I'm patiently waiting and, of course, working really hard to make that happen.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
