After taking the season one game at a time, graduating Ateneo skipper, Ella De Jesus got her wish, and capped her UAAP career with a championship.
“Sabi ko nga before, if we get this championship, I really couldn’t ask for more. This is the best way to end my UAAP career. Sobrang happy that we made history again without any intention of doing it.” De Jesus gleefully remarked.
When asked about her post-UAAP plans, De Jesus admits that she is still on the fence. “I still don’t know. Since the UAAP started, ‘yon [championship] na lang talaga iniisip ko. I might consider playing in the PSL,” said the BS Psychology student.
“It was a struggle, kasi I had to start from the bottom. After Coach Roger [left], si Coach Tai pinasok ako sa first six. It was hard pero Coach never made me feel na hindi ko kaya. He made me feel that I was there for a reason, I was there because I can do it,” the 5’4 spiker answered when asked about her journey in the UAAP.
De Jesus worked her way from being an off-the-bench emergency scoring option, to one of the UAAP’s most complete players. Though she lacks the stereotypical height of an elite volleyball player, she more than makes up for it with her springy vertical leap and impeccable ball control.
Despite leaving her team, who will be missing her services for the coming seasons, De Jesus still thinks they will manage to win titles.
“I hope so [they can win a title]. Though wala na kami ni Den [Lazaro] for the back row defense, they still have Alyssa and everyone else, we won’t know for now,” De Jesus finished.
