La Salle Lady Spikers head coach Ramil De Jesus could not ask for a better gift from the core that brought the Lady Spikers back to the UAAP summit.
After completing a perfect 16-0 championship run in UAAP Season 88, Angel Canino, Shevana Laput, Amie Provido, and Lyka De Leon decided to put their professional dreams on hold and return for one final year in green and white.
For De Jesus, the decision of La Salle’s “Batch 122” to stay for UAAP Season 89 speaks volumes about their commitment to the program and to each other.
“Ayun yung pinakaswerteng natanggap ko na regalo ng mga seniors ko na nag-stay sila for the team, and hindi kaagad nagmadaling mag-pro,” De Jesus said during the Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night.
“Bihira yung ganoong seniors na ang mentality na hindi pansarili yung iniintindi kundi ang team. Kasi sabi nga nila hindi mo na mababalikan yung college days mo pagka nag-pro ka na.”
La Salle Core Looks to Continue Winning Tradition
Coming off a dominant title campaign, the quartet had every opportunity to take the next step in their careers. Instead, they chose to chase another championship together and continue the culture they have built inside the Lady Spikers’ program.
De Jesus said their shared goal and strong bond have set this group apart from others—especially since all four players entered La Salle at the same time and grew together throughout their collegiate journey.
“Mahabang bakasyon yung ginawa [ng players] kasi wala ka namang mahihiling sa mga bata kapag talagang nagpokus. Nandoon naman yung focus nila eh,” said the multi-titled mentor.
“Yun siguro yung mga nawala nung mga unang seniors ko na iba-iba yung goal nila. Ito kasing mga naiwan, eh iisa yung goal, eh magkaka-batch kasi. May mga times kasi na may mga ahead sa kanila, pero iba naman yung goal. Ito kasi iisa eh, iiba yung sisterhood nila.”
Hunting for Back-to-Back Titles
After falling short in back-to-back seasons, La Salle finally reclaimed the UAAP women’s volleyball throne in Season 88 in historic fashion.
Now, with Canino, Laput, Provido, and De Leon returning, the Lady Spikers will enter Season 89 not as hunters but as the team everyone will try to take down.
For De Jesus, the challenge remains the same: continue improving and be ready for whatever comes next.
“Yung bawat game naman dumadaan eh, so kung ano yung kahinatnan ng game, kung kulang yung preparation mo eh maghabol ka,” he said.
“Pero kung nandoon ka sa itaas, eh di ikaw yung habulin. Ganon ka-simple.”
