Green all over
La Salle snapped a five-game UAAP losing streak to defending champion National University. And it was but natural that coach Ramil De Jesus was proud, especially after his Lady Spikers swept the first round action of Season 88 of the women’s volleyball tournament.
The usually taciturn De Jesus also said that he was happy to see his former player Regine Diego, coaching the Lady Bulldogs.
“I’m happy for her because first of all, she’s one of the few women (coaches) in the UAAP,” De Jesus, who rarely does postgame interviews, said in Filipino after a 25-21, 25-19, 19-25, 25-17 win on Sunday in front of over 18,000 fans at Mall of Asia Arena.
“It’s also nice for me because she used to play under me, and now she’s coaching a champion team,” added De Jesus.
The 12-time UAAP champion coach turned to Shevana Laput, Angel Canino and Amie Provido to recover from a third-set loss as super rookie Sam Cantada sparked a National U uprising.
First sweep since 2023
Despite their 7-0 sweep of the first round—the first time since their championship run in Season 85—De Jesus urged the Lady Spikers to brace for a tougher second round and continue to step up when it matters most.
“The first round isn’t the real battle yet. You’ll see the real fight in the semifinals and especially in the finals,” he explained. “Whatever happens in the eliminations is okay, as long as you’re ready when it matters most.
“You can win games in the eliminations, but if you fall short at the end, it won’t matter,” he went on. “What’s important is focusing on the final stretch because that’s where the real battle is.”
NU finished with a 5-2 record to stay in second spot, just a game ahead of a three-way tie for second that has Adamson, which carved out a 25-18, 25-16, 25-19 triumph over the University of the Philippines earlier.
Far Eastern and the University of Santo Tomas are the other teams at 4-3, like the Soaring Falcons.
Adamson got the goods from Shaina Nitura and Frances Mordi to sweep the Fighting Maroons and log its first winning first round record since Season 85 when a team led by Trisha Tubu and Louie Romero finished with a 5-2 record. That squad would eventually win the bronze in the school’s last Final Four appearance.
“We have our goals as a team, and this was part of it,” Nitura said in Filipino after scoring 12 points. “This was our Plan B. We were aiming for 5–2, but it’s still a good start for us heading into the second round.
“It’s not easy, but this win gives us a better chance of making the Final Four.”
De Jesus won a 2009 title with Diego as one of his players. They also go a long way as the NU coach also inherited F2 Logistics—the former club of the longtime La Salle coach—before it disbanded.
“It’s interesting for me to see the things she learned back when she was still [my] player,” De Jesus went on. “I’m sure she has many ideas now, and I’m glad because her team is very competitive and they’re the defending champions.
“Hopefully, she continues to get to know her team better since she’s still new there and can bring out even more from the players.”
Laput finished with 19 points off 15 kills, three blocks and an ace laced with eight excellent digs. Canino had 14 points and 10 excellent receptions. Provido added 12, while Vida Caringal stepped up in the absence of Lilay del Castillo with nine points on an 8-of-11 attacking clip.
La Salle finally ended a long skid against NU that dates back to the second round of Season 86. The Lady Bulldogs, who were led by Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon last year, swept the Lady Spikers in last year’s finals series.
Their last win against NU was a 15-25, 25-19, 18-25, 25-19, 15-12 thriller on March 16, 2024, during the first round.
“The players really wanted it this time. I can see that they’ve learned from the mistakes of the past seasons,” De Jesus said. “We really worked on those areas.
“The good thing is that everyone is willing to embrace the changes.”
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