LA SALLE’s rookie-heavy push in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament may not have been exactly how head coach Ramil de Jesus initially envisioned it.
Unlike previous years when the Lady Spikers secured top-tier recruits, highlighted by Angel Canino’s rookie-MVP championship run in Season 85, La Salle entered the current campaign without the same blue-chip pipeline.
READ: La Salle finally proves to be worthy foe for dynastic NU
The 12-time champion coach admitted that the shifting landscape in college recruiting has made it harder for La Salle to land the most sought-after prospects, with programs like National University and University of Santo Tomas among others strengthening their own pipelines through high school programs that feed directly into their collegiate squads.
Still, de Jesus has embraced the challenge in opting to develop his younger players rather than rely solely on established recruits.
“Ngayon, parang itong season na ’to, parang less talent kami kasi parang karamihan ng mga rookies namin, talagang from scratch at hindi talaga ’yung top recruit,” de Jesus said.
“Itong year na ’to, talagang tinatrabaho namin ’yung mga rookies namin na pinipilit namin makahabol du’n sa level ng mga seniors.”
Several first-year players have already seen action early in Season 88, including setter Eshana Nunag, middle blocker Vida Caringal, and outside hitters Mikee Santos, Althea Cabradilla and Ella de Guzman.
For de Jesus, the progress has been encouraging as the tournament continues.
“Nakakatuwa lang na ’yung iba, nag-iimprove na. Pagdating ng oras eh, may mahuhugot pa na isa du’n [sa mga rookies], mabigyan ng time para maglaro pero depende, mahaba pa naman ’yung tournament,” he said.
The time is now
After going without a title in three of the last four seasons, a rare stretch during de Jesus’ 29-year tenure with the Lady Spikers, La Salle’s unbeaten run so far in Season 88 suggests a renewed hunger within the squad.
“Mas ginusto naman yung bata ngayon kasi sa ngayon nakikita ko sa kanila, natututo kami sa mga mali namin nu’ng nakaraang season, ano ’yung mga kulang. Trinabaho namin kung ano ’yung mga kulang,” de Jesus said.
“Ang maganda kasi, lahat sila sumusunod, lahat sila gusto kung ano ’yung mga pagbabago namin.”
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