THE throne is up for grabs and Ramil de Jesus wants it back.
For the first time in years, the UAAP women’s volleyball landscape appears wide open without a title favorite - and the 12-time champion tactician knows opportunity when he sees one.
After three of the last four National U-ran seasons away from the summit, La Salle is not just looking to reclaim the throne in Season 88. It's out to reinforce its reign.
The Lady Spikers have wasted no time making their intentions clear, opening the season with three straight wins without dropping a single set.
And those were far from gimmes, as Far Eastern University, University of Santo Tomas, and the University of the Philippines all fell in convincing fashion.
The sharp start, de Jesus admits, is the product of months of relentless preparation.
“Dala na lang din talaga siguro ng training namin kasi talagang pinaghirapan namin itong season na ‘to,” he said in a rare post-game press conference appearance following their whipping of the Fabio Menta-coached Fighting Maroons.
READ: Even without Laput, La Salle sends UP crashing back to earth
“Talagang kayod kami mula nu’ng offseason hanggang sa makarating ngayong season.”
While new names like setter Eshana Nunag, opposite Mikee Santos, and winger Althea Cabradilla are beginning to carve their roles, the green-and-white foundation remains set on a 'Big 3' of Angel Canino, captain Shevana Laput, and Amie Provido.
That trio remains the team’s stabilizing force, especially with Canino and Provido returning from Alas Pilipinas duties armed with international experience.
“Sa tingin ko, mas nag-mature ‘yung ibang mga players ko. Malaki ring bagay ‘yung nakapag-Alas sila Angel at Amie dahil nai-share din nila sa team ‘yung mga experiences nila sa international,” RDJ said.
Taft's veterans have elevated the standard, while the rookies are rising to meet it.
How ‘bout ‘em rooks?
If anything has defined La Salle’s early surge, it's the seamless blend of youth and experience.
The newcomers are not merely filling minutes, but also racking up meaningful contributions to the Lady Spikers' perfect three-game start.
For a program historically built on senior firepower, this year may be remembered as when a new generation accelerated the championship chase.
De Jesus admitted he entered the season with tempered expectations for his young core, having only seen brief flashes of their potential in limited action prior to the UAAP campaign.
“Hindi [ko in-expect] kasi never ko pa sila naisali sa tournament eh, ‘yun lang siguro sa Davao, mga exhibition games, pero ‘yung ganitong UAAP, hindi ko ine-expect na kung ano ‘yung pinapakita nila,” he said.
Instead, the veteran tactician leaned on what he consistently saw in training, using it as his primary gauge for how his rookies would perform on this big stage and under these bright lights.
“Basta ako, dumidepende lang ako kung ano pinapakita nila sa training and ‘yun lang ‘yung pinanghawakan ko. Kung maganda ‘yung pinapakita nila sa training, in-expect kong ganu’n din sa game,” he said.
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