Before she officially dons La Salle’s green and white, blue-chip outside hitter Caera Celis is steadily carving out her maturity and winning mentality with Bacolod-based program St. John’s Institute.
Even with her future already secured at De La Salle University for UAAP Season 90, the highly touted spiker is far from easing up.
Instead, she is using the 2026 Shakey’s GVIL Rising Stars Cup as a crucial proving ground, sharpening her game and mindset before making the leap to the collegiate level.
Celis reaffirmed her commitment to join the Ramil de Jesus-mentored Lady Spikers, pointing to La Salle’s holistic program as a key factor in her decision to leave Bacolod for Taft.
(C) Roman Prospero/SSL
“Of course dahil yung environment ng La Salle, especially sports ng La Salle, especially sa volleyball nila ngayon and sa academics nila,” Celis shared.
For now, however, the 5-foot-8 outside hitter remains locked in on the present task: delivering a championship for her current squad in the 2026 Shakey’s GVIL Rising Stars Cup.
After falling short of the quarterfinals in last year’s edition, Celis and the Falcons have turned the page in emphatic fashion, storming into the next round with a perfect 3-0 record in Pool C.
In their quarterfinal-clinching win over San Felipe Neri Catholic School, Celis led the charge with 17 points.
“I expect my teammates and I na ibigay namin yung todo ngayong Shakey’s,” she said.
“Babawi talaga at kukunin namin yung Shakey’s ngayon.”
