Jolina Dela Cruz admitted that De La Salle University’s confidence was at an all-time high last Wednesday.
After all, the Lady Spikers had just beaten defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs (25-10, 25-15, 25-21). It’s the same team they could not hurdle in four tries back in UAAP Season 84.
“Siguro po nakakaboost siya ng self-confidence ng bawat isa kasi nga yung sinasabi ni Coach Ramil (De Jesus) na bihira mabigyan ng chance yung mga team na magkaroon ng 7-0 record and masweep yung first round,” said Dela Cruz as her team defeated NU twice already this season.
“Ginrab lang namin yung opportunity na yun para mas maboost yung kumpyansa namin.”
Three days later, they faced the same team.
It’s natural that there would be an adrenaline dump. But the decibel just got higher two hours prior to the first serve of the game as a VIP arrived.
It was none other than Ramil de Jesus.
De Jesus had missed the entire first round due to health reasons. Taking charge of the Lady Spikers was RDJ’s trusted deputy Noel Orcullo.
The 11-time UAAP indoor volleyball champion coach actually did not tell his team about it, let alone call the shots.
But Dela Cruz and the Lady Spikers did some little pushing which made De Jesus agree.
“Hindi po namin ineexpect kasi kanina dumating siya, hindi po namin alam na magco-coach siya ngayon. Nung nasa dugout siya kasama po siya parang binibiro niya pa kami na ‘hindi naman, doon lang ako sa likod’ pero pinilit namin siya,” the 25-year-old senior said.
“Napilit naman namin siya and thankful kami kay Coach Ramil kasi yun nga. Nilaban niya yung araw na ito, at para sa kanya rin yung laban namin ngayon.”
With De Jesus back, the Lady Spikers did not disappoint.
Unlike their first encounter, La Salle dug deep in the first two sets, taking both of them via a line of 26-24.
Going for the kill, the Lady Spikers flat-out dominated the clincher, 25-16.
Dela Cruz was the sparkplug for the Lady Spikers, tallying 12 points on eight attacks and three blocks along with nine excellent digs.
But beyond going 8-0, they did not disappoint their beloved head coach.
“Siguro po ginanahan yung team. Same naman po yung respeto namin with Coach Noel and Coach Ramil, mas na-excite lang din kami kasi syempre bagong dating ngayong second round si Coach Ramil,” gushed the native of Bulacan.
“Mas na boost yung kumpyansa namin ng mga teammates ko.”
