IF 12 UAAP titles and eight runner-up finishes weren’t enough for Ramil de Jesus as women's volleyball coach of La Salle, add one more to a list of what seems like a never-ending legacy of greatness for this veteran mentor.
READ: PVL Draft last pick Danivah Aying's story is a tale of hope
La Salle had five players in the draft, all played under De Jesus, and all were selected. To illustrate how vastly the coach has influenced the game of volleyball in the country, the first four picks were former Lady Spikers. The fifth La Salle entry was picked 20th, in the third round.
Thea Gagate, as expected, was picked No. 1 overall by ZUS Coffee; Leila Cruz followed at No. 2 for Capital1, Julia Coronel was No. 3 for Galeries Tower and Maicah Larroza pulled somewhat of a surprise when taken at No. 4 by Farm Fresh. La Salle reserve Jenya Torres then joined Capital1 when she was selected 20th overall.
The result of the selection process left no doubt about the enormity of De Jesus' imprint in the game. His players are known to embody traits essential to team building. Most of those who graduate under De Jesus'sguidance usually are versed in fundamentals, follow an enviable work ethic, and display a serious approach to every game.
So those who drafted La Sallians are assured that the players they took have a winning culture inculcated incessantly by De Jesus. The players themselves can't credit their coach enough with regards to their development.
“Alam naman natin ang system ni Coach Ramil (de Jesus), for how many years, proven and tested na ‘yan kaya it’s a great feeling to see my teammates (get drafted) ” said Galeries-bound Coronel.
Larroza added: “Coach Ramil was instrumental sa pag-achieve ko sa dreams ko. Naging coach ko siya since I started playing volleyball. So I think magiging malaking inspiration siya sa paglalaro ko sa pros.”
Pressure is a privilege
Cruz, meanwhile, will soon have the rare honor of being under the wing of two veteran champion coaches as he moves from RDJ’s Lady Spikers to Roger Gorayeb’s Solar Spikers.
“Super nakakatuwa na ma-handle ako nilang dalawa (RDJ and Roger) kasi we all know naman na parehas silang veterans sa larangan ng volleyball,” said Cruz.
“I’ll try my best talaga to bring justice dun sa Top 2 pick na binigay nila. I will do everything na makakaya po para mabigyan ng better finish this season yung Capital1.”
As for Gagate, the pressure of going No. 1 is a privilege and a challenge she’s more than ready to take head on.
“There’s always gonna be pressure but I’m just really excited," said Gagate. "I will do my best to help the team and rank up in the PVL.”
“Nandu’n talaga yung kaba. Hindi pa rin talaga nawawala kasi even though I know na I’m their top pick, nandu’n pa rin yung bigat kahit papaano. But then I’m also very grateful na na-appreciate nila yung talent ko and ako yung na-pick nila.”
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.
