In the history of UAAP Women’s Volleyball, only two teams have more championships than Ramil de Jesus and the La Salle Lady Spikers: the FEU Lady Tamaraws with 26, and the UST Golden Tigresses with 16.
The rest of the field has fewer than 13 championships, meaning the five other schools have fewer championships than Ramil de Jesus himself.
After completing a season sweep and notching their 13th championship, de Jesus noted that the team’s latest title was less about perfection and more about constantly chasing the standard needed to stay on top.
“Para sa akin kasi kung ano ‘yung nakikita naming level kailangan mong habulin, so kung sino nag-champion kailangan habulin at paghandaan ‘yung level ng nag-champion,” said de Jesus.
Ramil de Jesus on Excellence and Adaptability
That mindset fueled La Salle’s return to the throne after watching NU dominate the previous two seasons.
Over 26 seasons with the Lady Spikers, Ramil de Jesus has transformed consistency into a dynasty, steering the program to 13 championships, 9 runner-up finishes, and 2 bronze medals while remaining one of the defining figures in UAAP volleyball.
From their first title together in Season 62 to this latest championship run, adaptability has remained at the core of his philosophy.
“Para sa akin kasi, pag pumunta ka sa La Salle, kailangan ready ka dapat mag-adjust kasi kailangan mong sumunod, kailangan mong gawin kasi kung pumunta ka doon para ma-associate sa La Salle, eh hindi ’yon ang goal,” De Jesus said. “Siguro kung pupunta ka, kailangan talaga kakayanin lahat.”
Overcoming Challenges En Route to Perfection
La Salle’s march to a perfect season was far from smooth.
Throughout the elimination round, the Lady Spikers dealt with multiple setbacks as key players Shevana Laput, Mikole Reyes, and Lilay Del Castillo all missed games due to illnesses, forcing constant adjustments in the rotation.
Instead of derailing the campaign, those challenges strengthened the team’s resolve.
“Actually, napakahirap kasi first round pa lang ang dami na naming struggles sa team; andyan na ‘yung mga games na wala si Shevana, may mga games na wala si Lilay, si Mikole,” he said. “’Yun ‘yung mga struggles na hinarap ng team. Sabi ko, ito ‘yung challenges na dapat pagdaanan. And then, second round, ganun din, kaya sabi ko, baka mag-champion tayo kasi ang dami ng challenges, eh.”
Well, Ramil de Jesus was right. The La Salle Lady Spikers faced those challenges head-on. Now, they are champions. They are perfect.
