Mikee Santos was thrown into the fire in just her third UAAP game, inserted into the starting lineup in place of an under-the-weather Shevana Laput.
But the rookie opposite spiker didn’t just survive — she brought the fire to the court, impressing against an previously-unbeaten University of the Philippines squad.
Santos reached double digits for the first time as De La Salle University dominated UP in straight sets, 25-12, 25-15, 25-19, to remain undefeated in the UAAP Season 88 collegiate women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
She contributed 10 points on 8-of-18 spikes and added two blocks, joining three other Lady Spikers in double figures: Angel Canino with 12, and the duo of Shane Reterta and Amie Provido with 11 each.
“Lagi ko lang po iniisip pag naglalaro, yung sinasabi po ng coaches namin na this is the time na ipakita po yung pinagtitrainingan namin. And as a rookie, gusto ko rin po makatulong sa seniors, so it’s something na po na lagi kong iniisip during the game,” said Santos after the sweep, which lasted 82 minutes.
According to head coach Ramil de Jesus, the rookies’ readiness for the big stage is a result of steady leadership and guidance from the team’s seniors.
He specifically cited Canino and Provido’s experience with Alas Pilipinas, which they shared with the rest of the Lady Spikers to accelerate the team’s development and growth.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Actually, yun nga yung maganda kasi may inabutan sila na seniors na members ng Alas. Kasi ma-meet nila o kaya mahabol nila yung level kung ano yung meron sa team. Mahirap kasi yung wala nang seniors, so wala kang hahabulin level kung ano man yung maiwan sa team,” said De Jesus.
Santos, making her first UAAP appearance after skipping high school volleyball in the league, echoed her mentor’s sentiment. Rookie setter Eshana Nunag has also turned heads in her debut year.
“Siguro important po siya kasi as a rookie, first time ko pong maglaro sa UAAP,” said Santos on the seniors’ guidance.
“Siguro mas makakatulong po ito sa akin na mas maging confident at mas matatag sa court. And yung mga experiences din po ng Ate, magiging inspiration po yun para push pa po ako to do better.”
Santos has consistently earned minutes in La Salle’s 3-0 start, previously rotating in a double-sub pattern. With Laput’s availability for the next game still uncertain, Santos has shown she can rise to the occasion when the Lady Spikers face the Ateneo Blue Eagles this Sunday at the Big Dome.
#WATCH: LEARNING FROM ALAS ATES 🏹
Mikee Santos is grateful to be under the tutelage of La Salle’s Alas pool members Amie Provido and Angel Canino 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/noHdA0ikip
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/1R7HP4QI3O
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) February 25, 2026
