Before the start of 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 recent memory, the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles’ historic Cinderella run in UAAP Season 76 to win the championship was probably one of the most iconic scenes the league has seen in its entire history.

At the end of the elimination round, the Lady Eagles finished in the third spot with a 10-4 record, losing both of their games against the then-defending champions De La Salle Lady Spikers and the National University Lady Bulldogs.

Since the Lady Spikers, who were seeking the first four-peat in women’s volleyball, swept the elimination round, they qualified straight to the finals with a thrice-to-beat advantage while the rest of the teams played in a step-ladder semifinal.

In the fourth-seed playoffs, the Lady Falcons won against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 25-17, 23-25, 23-25, 25-13, 15-11, behind Bang Pineda and Jemma Galanza’s attack. Unfortunately for the San Marcelino-based squad, the Alyssa Valdez-led Lady Eagles were peaking at the right time as they suffered a straight-set loss in the first round of the semifinals, 24-26, 23-25, 21-25.

With their backs against the walls, the Lady Eagles surprised everyone when they defeated the twice-to-beat National University Bulldogs, composed of sisters Dindin and Jaja Santiago, in the semifinals, 25-17, 12-25, 31-29, 28-26, to extend the game in a do-or-die match.

In the second game, Ateneo made a repeat of their performance with a 25-22, 8-25, 25-19, 25-22 victory against National University to make a return trip to the finals for the third straight time.

In game one of the finals, the Lady Eagles drew first blood against the defending champions De La Salle Lady Spikers, 17-25, 25-23, 25-13, 25-20. The Taft-based squad quickly bounced back in the next game, defeating the Katipunan-based squad in a four-set match, 25-14, 25-20, 19-25, 26-24.

The third game in the finals was a do-or-die for the Lady Eagles as the Lady Spikers only needed one victory for the first four-peat in women’s volleyball. With their ‘Heartstrong’ mentality, the Lady Eagles showed grit in the fifth set as they extended the match to a winner-take-all, 25-21 25-23 18-25 16-25 17-15, thanks to Valdez’s and Morente’s consecutive attacks in the fifth set.

In the winner-take-all match, Ateneo pulled off a huge upset as they won their first-ever UAAP volleyball crown in straight sets, 25-23, 26-24, 25-21.

Under the helm of Thai head coach Tai Bundit, the Lady Eagles was composed of Alyssa Valdez, Jia Morado, Denise Lazaro, Ella De Jesus, Aerial Patnogon, Amy Ahomiro, and Michelle Morente.

Alyssa Valdez

Dubbed the Phenom of Philippine Volleyball, Alyssa Valdez was instrumental in their history-making campaign in UAAP Season 76. Having won the Best Score in Season 75, Valdez came back stronger in Season 76, especially after the exit of her seniors Dzi Gervacio, Fille Cainglet, Jem Ferrer, Gretchen Ho, and A Nacachi – known as the Fab 5 – to graduation. As the team captain, Valdez won the Season’s and Finals MVP, Best Scorer, and Best Server.

After a historic Cinderella run, Valdez once again led the Lady Eagles in another historic undefeated, 16-0 sweep. Unfortunately, in Valdez’s last year in college, their archrivals, the Lady Spikers, reclaimed the crown and denied them the three-peat in Season 78.

After her graduation, Valdez took her talent to Thailand, where she played for the club team 3BB Nakornnont as their import. She also played for Attack Line in Taiwan in 2017. Currently, Valdez is the team captain of Creamline Cool Smashers in the Premier Volleyball League.

Julia Morado

With big shoes to fill, Julia Morado executed the plays of the Lady Eagles perfectly, delivering what Coach Tai wants – lower, faster sets like what Thailand is doing. Morado was instrumental in Ateneo’s Season 77 championship, but she settled for back-to-back bronze medals in her last two years in college.

After she graduated from college, Morado joined Valdez in Creamline Cool Smashers before taking her talents abroad. Morado is still playing for the Denso Airybees in Japan V. League Division 1.

Denise Lazaro

Dubbed the Iron Eagle for her superb defensive prowess, Denise Lazaro won the Best Digger and Best Receiver awards in Season 76 and Best Receive in Season 77, After their two championships, Lazaro played for several club teams, such as the PLDT Home Ultera Ultra Fast Hitters, BaliPure Purest Water Defenders, United VC (COCOLIFE Asset Managers), Petron Blaze Spikers, and Choco Mucho Flying Titans.

Currently, Lazaro is playing with Valdez in Creamline Cool Smashers.

Ella De Jesus

Opposite Alyssa Valdez in the open position, Ella de Jesus may be standing at just 5”2, but she can block the lethal attacks of known middle spikers Aby Maraño and Dindin Santiago. After a successful UAAP career that saw her win two gold and two silver medals, De Jesus continues to play the sport that she loves.

After stints in PLDT Home Ultera Fast Hitters, BaliPure Purest Water Defenders, and Perlas Spikers, De Jesus transferred to Creamline Cool Smashers.

Aerieal Patnongon

Aerieal Patnongon was a member of the two championship Lady Eagles team in Seasons 76 and 77. After that, she played for the Creamline Cool Smashers and the United Volleyball Club.

In 2021, Patnongon announced her pregnancy. It was also reported that Patnongon returned to law school, studying at Saint Louis University in Baguio. Now, Patnongon enjoys her private life away from the limelight.

Amy Ahomiro

Born in New Zealand, Ahomiro was a lethal middle attacker, especially since she was a lefty. Playing first as an opposite spiker, Ahomiro found her grove in the middle, where her attacks saw the ball touch the floor.

In Season 77, Ahomiro was named the finals MVP for her stellar performance in the finals against the Lady Spikers. After graduation, Ahomiro played for BaliPure Purest Water Defenders, Banko Perlas Spikers, United Volleyball Club, and Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors.

Now, Ahomiro is back in Australia, where she enjoys her life away from volleyball.

Michelle Morente

During her rookie year in Season 76, Morente played a vital role in their campaign as she delivered points that helped Valdez carry the team to the school’s first victory. However, in the Lady Eagles historic title run in Season 77, Morente was barely used until she was ruled ineligible to play in Season 78 due to academic deficiencies.

In Season 79, Morente returned to the court, although the Lady Eagles finished second to the Lady Spikers again. In the next season, Morente transferred to the Lady Spikers, which shocked the volleyball community.

Right now, Morente has been playing for the Petro Gazz Angels in the Premier Volleyball League.