Mikole Reyes has big shoes to fill.
Stepping into the spotlight once held by setters like Kim Fajardo, Michelle Cobb, and Mars Alba, the rookie playmaker is now at the helm of De La Salle University’s offense in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Though the weight of expectations is heavy, Reyes is slowly proving she has what it takes to lead the Lady Spikers back to glory.
However, Reyes — who is the younger sister of PLDT middle blocker Mika Reyes — struggled with early jitters, contributing to La Salle’s shaky 1-2 start to the season.
While concerns arose over entrusting the starting setter role to a 20-year-old rookie, Reyes has gradually found her rhythm in orchestrating the Lady Spikers’ offense.
In La Salle’s back-to-back wins over the University of the Philippines and the University of the East, she proved her capability to take on the mantle left by her predecessors.
She tallied seven excellent sets against the Fighting Maroons and followed it up with a career-best 23-set performance versus the Lady Warriors.
“Unti-unti ko na siya nagagamay every game, na nafi-feel ko na at nagagamay ko na talaga, especially with the help of the ‘Ates.’ Sila rin kasi yung tumutulong sa akin, sila yung sumasalo sa akin sa times na off ako,” Reyes shared.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
After a sluggish start to her rookie campaign, Reyes feels relieved to finally repay the unwavering trust of her ‘Ates,’ such as Angel Canino and Shevana Laput, as well as the patience of De Jesus.
Still, she understands that trust must be continuously earned. Determined to forge her own path outside of her sister Mika’s legacy, she remains committed to improving her skill set.
“Confident pa rin ako na may ilalabas pa ako kasi sa game na ito, kita pa rin talaga yung lapses ko as a setter. Tiwala lang din talaga sa sarili and sa mga kasama ko para tuloy-tuloy yung progress,” said the De La Salle University Integrated School alumna.
“Yung tiwala at kumpyansa lang talaga. Tsaka parang lagi ko tandaan daw na nandiyan lang yung mga ates na nakaalalay lang sila sa akin. Basta ako, gagawin ko lang yung best ko. Kailangan pagtrabahuan ko pa lahat ng mga lapses namin and like what Ate Jyne (Soreno) said, marami pa need i-polish.”
After La Salle suffered its first opening-day loss in 13 years — a 23-25, 21-25, 18-25 defeat to defending champion National University — De Jesus preached patience, acknowledging that both Reyes and junior setter Julyana Tolentino experienced first-game nerves.
For long-time deputy coach Noel Orcullo, Reyes and Tolentino are gradually adapting to La Salle’s system and playstyle, but with nine elimination games remaining, there is still plenty of room for growth.
“So far sa nagiging takbo ng laro namin, nandoon naman, nakukuha naman. Nakakasunod naman sa gusto mangyari. ‘Yon nga lang, may times na nagre-relax, at minsan nawawala ‘o kaya nawawala sa focus,” Orcullo noted.
#WATCH: La Salle deputy Noel Orcullo, along with Angel Canino, Jyne Soreño, and Mikole Reyes, emphasizes the need to stay sharp despite their four-set win over UE 🏐
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/rFmn258udE
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 8, 2025
