During the late 2000s up to the early 2010s, Ramil de Jesus flat-out dominated the UAAP.
Since De La Salle University returned from a one-year suspension in UAAP Season 70, the Lady Spikers went on to win four of the next six women’s volleyball titles.
“Before, ang binibilang ko lang kalaban noon siguro FEU, UST, even Adamson, siguro,” De Jesus once told Tiebreaker Times.
But the past 13 years have seen the rise of two programs — first, Ateneo de Manila University, and currently, National University.
Both forced De Jesus to re-learn the game, adjust his system, and keep up with the times.
TAI’S SYSTEM
When Tai Bundit took over as head coach of the Lady Eagles in 2013, the UAAP landscape was shaken to its core.
Bundit built a machine led by sensation Alyssa Valdez, complemented by playmaker Jia Morado, libero Denden Lazaro, and the likes of Ella De Jesus, Amy Ahomiro, and Mich Morente.
The Lady Eagles climbed through the stepladder format before stunning the Lady Spikers, who held a thrice-to-beat advantage.
A year later, the Ateneo juggernaut continued, sweeping UAAP Season 77.
“Nung wala pa si Tai dito, wala, walang challenge ‘yung UAAP noon para sa akin. Noong dumating siya, nagulat ako na, uy, ganitong level ‘yung dinala niya rito sa Philippines, so kailangan kong mag-adjust,” said De Jesus.
“Kailangan kong abutin ‘yung ganitong level na dinala niya.”
Adjust he did, defeating Bundit in the next two seasons before the Thai head coach left Ateneo in UAAP Season 80.
“Naging challenge ‘yung pagdating niya. Noong dumating siya, nag-evolve ‘yung volleyball.”
Though Bundit would end up with an 11–10 record against De Jesus, La Salle held a 3–2 championship advantage, with Ateneo not making the finals in UAAP Season 80.
But while De Jesus was dealing with Bundit, a new power was rising in Jhocson Street.
Built from the grassroots, National University was steadily streamlining its program.
MONOLITH’S MACHINERY
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In UAAP Season 77, National University–Nazareth School captured its first-ever girls’ volleyball title.
The Lady Bullpups would go on to establish a dynasty in the division, winning four straight championships.
The NUNS program was headed by coach Babes Castillo and managed by Monolith Construction and Development Corporation president Engr. Mariano “Bing” See Diet.
However, there was a major issue at the time.
The Lady Bullpups and Lady Bulldogs programs were not aligned, with the women’s team handled under a different management setup.
This led to some of NUNS’ blue-chip talents, such as Faith Nisperos and Thea Gagate, leaving and committing to other UAAP schools.
The culture shifted when See Diet was also tasked to handle the Lady Bulldogs program.
Players like Jen Nierva, Joyme Cagande, Princess Robles, Ivy Lacsina, and, more importantly, the “Golden Generation” of Mhicaela Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Camilla Lamina, Sheena Toring, and Erin Pangilinan would go on to represent NU in college.
By UAAP Season 84, that core had already reached the collegiate level.
NU had become the biggest headache for De Jesus.
“Yung recruitment ng NU mabigat dun e, kasi mostly lahat ng blue chip, nakukuha ng NU and then high school, ganun din. High school players pa lang, naiipon na sa kanila,” said De Jesus.
La Salle had its own super rookie in UAAP Season 85 in Angel Canino, who helped lead the Lady Spikers’ bounce-back run — capped by two hard-earned finals wins over the Lady Bullpups.
The next two seasons, however, proved difficult for La Salle.
The Lady Spikers finished third in UAAP Season 86 before being swept by NU in the UAAP Season 87 Finals in the swansong of the “Golden Generation” sans Lamina.
UAAP Season 88, however, told a different story.
It also helped that De Jesus finally found a stable setter in rookie Shan Nunag.
“Ngayon kasi, alam ko namang manipis yung team ko ngayon; hindi sobrang lalim ng bench namin, so makikita niyo naman na iilan lang ang umiikot na players diyan. Hindi katulad ng NU na kahit sinong gamitin mo, talagang puwede, eh. Sa amin, iilan lang,” reflected De Jesus.
“Kaya sabi ko, itong naitawid namin na ito, happy-happy ako kasi kahit ganito lang yung team namin, konti lang ang puwedeng mapaikot, naitawid namin sa finals.”
THE NEXT REINVENTION
On Tuesday, “Batch 122” committed to play out their final season in UAAP Season 89.
Of course, NU will still be the second-best team on paper, along with Adamson and UST.
The Lady Bullpups pipeline, meanwhile, continues to churn out blue-chip recruits, as evidenced by NUNS’ still-ongoing dynasty that has seen the program win three of the last four girls’ volleyball championships in the post-pandemic era.
The Lady Bulldogs program has also continued to recruit top prospects from all over the country, ensuring that NU remains a perennial contender for years to come.
And De Jesus hopes this batch gets the swansong they deserve before he once again re-adjusts to the next trend in UAAP volleyball.
“Siguro, ito yung last source ng recruitment namin, sila Angel na yun e. And then after nun, mag-uumpisa ulit kami,” said De Jesus.
“Tingnan natin kung kailan mahihinog. So, depende ’yon sa bata kung kailan mag-improve, mag-mature. So, itong Season 88, nag-mature na sila, kaya kami nakabalik dito sa finals,” he continued.
“Yung disiplina kasi iisa lang ang goal nila. Tapos yung leadership. Nag-mature naman lahat, lalo na yung mga seniors. Yun ang importante kasi kung meron kang seniors, ito ang goal; susunod lang ang mga bata. Mahirap yung maraming seniors, pero iba-iba naman yung goal nila. Marami ka ngang players, pero iba-iba yung goal, hindi iisa. Ngayon, iisa eh. Alam kong iisa ang goal nila.”
