LA Salle is out to defy the odds when it tests the grit and mettle of defending champion National University in the best-of-three finals of the 87th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
The Lady Spikers marked their 21st finals appearance in the league after the green-and-white crew eliminated last season’s runner-up University of Santo Tomas in the semifinals over the weekend.
This will be the third time in four seasons that La Salle and NU meet in the finals, with Game 1 of the title battle set on May 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Siguro, hard work lang iyon kasi ito naman iyong passion mo as a coach. So, iyong maturuan mo iyong mga bata, madala mo sa kung ano, at mailabas mo iyong talent nila. So, once na madala mo doon sa finals iyong mga bata, parang, ang laking fulfillment iyon para sa coach,” veteran Lady Spikers coach Ramil De Jesus said.
“So, isa iyon, sa siguro, iyon na iyong na-motivate sa akin para, at least, may bigay mo, may tulog sa kanilang iyong dapat nilang matutunan and then, madala mo rin sila sa finals,” he added.
De Jesus will be shooting for his 13th UAAP title at the helm of the Taft-based squad.
As La Salle aims its arrows to the target— the Lady Bulldogs, De Jesus hopes that his charges can compete with their foes nd rise to the occasion.
“Kilala naman natin iyong NU. Talagang since high school, magkakasama na iyong mga iyan and then, talagang sobrang lalim ng experience nila sa isa’t isa. So, siguro sa amin, talagang paghandaan lang namin and then, marami pa akong dapat i-ayos sa team,” De Jesus said.
“So, siguro, kung mailalabas nila iyong in-expect ko sa kanila (sa team), and makasabay kami, and magkaroon ng chance—at malaki iyong chance.”
The Lady Spikers are expected to lean on skipper Angel Canino, Shevana Laput, Amie Provido and Alleiah Malaluan.
