DE LA Salle coach Ramil de Jesus confirmed he is eyeing former NCAA star Lourdes Clemente to play for the Lady Spikers in UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball next year if she passes the school exam and clears the league eligibility.
Clemente, who played for University of Perpetual Help for four years in the NCAA, has long been rumored to become a one-and-done player for De La Salle in the school’s ‘four-peat’ bid this coming season.
De Jesus admitted he convinced the 6-foot-2 middle blocker to take entrance exam.
“Kinonvince ko siya kasi graduate naman na. So sabi ko sa kanya, kung mag-exam ka tapos saka ka na lang mag-decide kung gusto,” De Jesus told reporters. “Kung ayaw mo naman hindi kita mapipilit kasi ikaw yan e.”
Clemente has taken the exam and has been joining the Lady Spikers in practices and even went to their team building. But De Jesus said that they are still waiting for the results.
“Sa ngayon wala pa. Kumuha ng exam pero hindi pa lumalabas yung result,” said the 11-time UAAP champion coach, adding Clemente has yet to enroll at the school.
“Wala pa. Kung susuwertihin siya. Kung sa La Salle naman, inaantay lang yung ganung proseso kung saka-sakali na gusto niya tumuloy edi tumuloy.”
“Ang importante naka-exam. Kasi kapag natapos yung proseso ng exam at gusto mo maglaro, di ka makakalaro kasi hindi ka naman naka-enroll dahil di ka nakakuha ng exam,” he added.
Clemente is also part of F2 Logistics' lineup after she was acquired by the Philippine Super Liga club last February. But she is still recovering from a partial slipped disc.
De Jesus admitted eligibility might pose a hurdle but he is confident Clemente can follow the path of National University men’s basketball team player Troy Rike, who finished the season as a one-and-done player from Wake Forest.
“Feeling ko 'yun pa isa titignan natin,” he said. “Feeling ko wala kasi 'yung sa NU meron naman so magiging precedent yun siguro.”
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