Now in the final stretch of their collegiate careers, La Salle’s trio of seniors are looking to add to their coach’s illustrious record.
The Lady Spikers clinched their 10th straight Final appearance after sweeping the NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Volleyball Final Four. They take on the FEU Lady Tamaraws for a chance at their 11th title and third three-peat under Ramil De Jesus.
De Jesus, who played for FEU in college, established a dynasty in his 20 years in the UAAP. Dawn Macandili, Kianna Dy, and Majoy Baron want nothing more than to make history with their mentor.
“Siguro this is our chance to bring back the three-peat and siyempre lahat ng sacrifices namin, lahat ng pinaghirapan namin, ito na ‘yung final test namin,” said Kianna Dy, who scored a team-high 17 points against the Lady Bulldogs. “We’ve been here na, and siyempre aayusin pa namin ang kulang namin. Siyempre we want to show coach na sa five years naman dito, these are the players that you produced.
“We want to honor him.”
“Siyempre, last playing year namin, gusto namin maging maganda ang exit namin, and siyempre gusto naming i-alay to kay coach kasi wala naman kami dito kun’di dahil sa kanya,” added Macandili, La Salle’s defensive anchor who managed 23 digs and 10 receptions.
“Siyempre ayaw namin mag-graduate na may regrets, so ibibigay na namin lahat.”
“Ako, personally, motivation ko ‘yun. Ayaw kong masira ‘yung record ni coach,” chimed team captain Baron. “Kaya as much as possible, parang sobrang nabilib din ako sa sistema niya at mga seniors ko before, parang ayaw ko na puputulin ko ‘yung history na ginagawa nila sa time ko ngayon.
“Personally, ‘yun ang motivation ko.”
After facing the Ateneo Lady Eagles in every Finals for the last five seasons, the Lady Spikers have no qualms about taking on a different foe this season.
“For me, since sila nga ‘yung andyan sa Finals, ibig sabihin deserve nila na andoon sila. Sila talaga ‘yung ka-match na magiging exciting ‘yung Finals,” Dy, who is the SMART Sports Player of the Day, said about the Lady Tamaraws.
“I think it’s gonna be the same. Well iba lang ‘yung aura pag Ateneo-La Salle. Siyempre, andoon ‘yung school rivalry. Pero I think FEU will also bring their crowd, so we’ll never know,” Baron closed.
