Before starting the highly-anticipated UAAP Season 87 Volleyball Tournament, let us take a trip down memory lane, look back at the tournament’s past champions, and know what these legends are doing decades after their triumph.

In the minds of the fans of the De La Salle University Lady Spikers, the team’s Season 73 lineup would always be special since it was the last time that the trio of Stephanie Mercado, Jacqueline Alarca, and Charleen Cruz – known during their time as the Big MAC – played together.

The Lady Spikers Season 73 campaign was controversial when two players – Carmela Garbin and Clarisse Yeung – were suspended after violating the rules that prohibited athletes from competing in a commercial league without the league’s permission.

Because of this incident, the UAAP board has decided to forfeit La Salle’s game against the University of the East Red Warriors. Still, this setback didn’t stop them from being laser-focused on their goal that season – bringing the championship back to Taft.

In the semifinals, the Lady Spikers went head-to-head with their archrivals, the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, in a classic five-set match, 26-24, 21-25, 25-17, 26-28, 15-10, in favor of the more experienced Lady Spikers. In the other bracket of the semifinals, the defending champions University of Santo Tomas made quick work of the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 25-23, 25-18, 17-25, 25-21.

In the highly-anticipated rematch of the Lady Spikers and the Golden Tigresses, the girls wearing green-and-white started the match on a hot note, taking control of the first two sets, 25-18, 25-20, before the ladies in black and gold won the next two sets, 25-19, 25-16, extending the match to a fifth and final set.

In the fifth set, with Maru Banaticla down with an injury late in the fourth set, the Lady Spikers took advantage of the void no one filled, drawing first blood after a hard-fought set, 15-13.

In the second game, the Lady Spikers made sure not to give the Golden Tigresses a breather as they only needed three sets to bring home the crown, 25–18, 25–17, 28–26.

Under the helm of legendary coach Ramil de Jesus, the UAAP Season 73 Lady Spikers team was composed of Mercado, Alarca, Cruz, Abigail Maraño, Michele Gumabao, Mika Esperanza, Melissa Gohing, Joanne Siy, and Cyd Demecillo.

Stephanie Mercado

The daughter of Asia’s fastest woman, Lydia de Vega, Stephanie Mercado was one of the three pillars of the De La Salle University Lady Spikers UAAP Season 73 champion team with Jacqueline Alarca and Charleen Cruz, known as the Big MAC. In game two of the finals, Mercado was limited to just six points, but three came in the crucial third set when they were down 21-24.

After her illustrious collegiate career and three UAAP championships, Paneng took her talents to several club teams, most recently with the Petro Gazz Angels in the Premier Volleyball League.

Since becoming a mother, Mercado now serves as an in-game analyst for the TV coverage of several volleyball leagues.

Jacqueline Alarca

One of the best middle blockers the UAAP has seen, Jacqueline Alarca’s prowess in front of the net was undeniable. Alarca won the Season 71 Best Blocker, and Season 73 Best Attacker, Best Server, and Season MVP. Adding 11 points to the second game of the finals, winning the championship was a perfect way to end her college career.

After the UAAP, Alarca played for the Philippine Army Lady Troopers in several leagues before a knee injury happened in 2013. Since then, she has been staying away from the limelight.

Charleen Cruz

Known as Miss Everything for having played all positions, Charleen Cruz was the captain who steered the team to multiple championships. Scoring 14 points in the second game of the finals, Cruz was named as the finals MVP.

Cruz went back for her fifth and final year in the UAAP in Season 74, where she once again led the rebuilding Lady Spikers to another championship, being the lone senior in the team. After her collegiate career, Cruz became part of several iterations of Lady Spikers-led professional club teams until she married and started her own family.

Now, Cruz serves as an assistant coach of Petro Gazz Angels in the Premier Volleyball League.

Melissa Gohing

The net has Jacqueline Alarca manning it; the backline has Melissa Gohing sweeping it as the team libero. Gohing won the Rookie of the Year in Season 71, at the same time, she won her first out of four UAAP championships. Her only silver medal came in Season 72 when the Lady Spikers lost the crown against the Golden Tigresses.

After four gold and one silver medal, Gohing played for several club teams, such as the Smart-Maynilad Net Spikers, Mane ‘n Tail Lady Stallions, Philips Gold Lady Slammers, Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors, and Creamline Cool Smashers, winning multiple trophies.

Now, Melissa has been busy taking care of her family.

Abigail Maraño

Before becoming known as having a Beast Mode Don’t Care attitude inside the court, Maraño was first known for providing backup defense at the net, opposite Jacq Alarca. When Alarca graduated, Maraño led the team to a rare three-peat, winning the crown again in Seasons 74 and 75, where she was awarded as the season’s Most Valuable Player.

After her heartbreak in Season 76, where the Lady Spikers lost the crown to the Alyssa Valdez-led Ateneo Lady Eagles, Maraño played for several teams in the professional scene, winning awards after awards.

Maraño is still active in the professional volleyball scene as the team captain of the Chery Tiggo Crossovers.

Michele Gumabao

Michele Gumabao only played for four years in the UAAP, but her legacy was undeniable. In Season 73, Michele’s solid blocks played a crucial role in their successful quest to regain the trophy. Since becoming the team’s starting opposite hitter, the Lady Spikers won the Seasons 73 to 75 championships.

After graduating, Gumabao played for several club teams before taking hiatuses for several reasons, including joining a reality show and competing in several beauty pageants.

Michele is still active in professional volleyball, playing for the Creamline Cool Smashers in the Premier Volleyball League.

Mika Esperanza

Season 73 Rookie of the Year Mika Esperanza was the one who orchestrated the beautiful offense of the Lady Spikers. With Mercado and Cruz in the open position, Alarca and Maraño in the middle, Gumabao in the opposite, and Gohing as the libero, Esperanza’s ball handling and distribution proved to be the difference in their championship campaign in their three-peat championships from Season 73 to 75.

Esperanza played professional volleyball before pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor. She is now a licensed doctor after passing the board in 2021.