Mikole Reyes is no longer just a rookie finding her footing — she’s becoming the heartbeat of De La Salle University’s offense.
And as the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament heats up, head coach Ramil de Jesus is taking notice.
At the start of the season, the setter position was a major area of concern for the Lady Spikers, with rookies Reyes and Ela Raagas, along with fourth-year player Julyana Tolentino, sharing the playmaking duties.
However, with one full round completed and the competition intensifying as the Final Four approaches, De Jesus has felt impressed by Reyes’ rapid improvement.
Reyes orchestrated La Salle’s dominant 25-21, 25-17, 25-20 victory over archrival Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum — a crucial win in the tight race for playoff positioning, with the second to sixth spots closely contested.
The 20-year-old younger sister of former La Salle icon Mika Reyes dished out 19 excellent sets, expertly distributing the offense to create a balanced and unpredictable attack.
Angel Canino spearheaded the Lady Spikers with 16 points, followed by Shevana Laput with 14.
Meanwhile, middle blockers Amie Provido and Lilay del Castillo also made their presence felt with nine and eight points, respectively.
“Diskarte niya (Mikole Reyes) yun kasi nakita niya siguro na kailangan ma-maximize din yung middle blockers. So, kung nakikita niya yung situation bagay doon sa middle, sinusubo niya doon sa middle and then nag-work naman,” De Jesus said, praising his setter’s decision-making.
Reyes, for her part, acknowledged her growing confidence in utilizing the Lady Spikers’ middle attack.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Yung nangyari po ngayon, mas nama-maximize ko nga po yung mga middles ko, hindi parang naka-center lang sa wingers po namin para hindi talaga bantay-sarado po yung dulo-dulo namin,” she shared.
De Jesus admitted that the coaching staff has put extra effort into developing their setters, recognizing their crucial role in La Salle’s bid for a deep playoff run.
Following their 16th straight victory over Ateneo, the Lady Spikers improved to a 7-3 record, securing sole possession of second place — a full game ahead of third-running Far Eastern University (6-4).
“Actually, binibigyan talaga namin ng oras sa training yung mga setters. Gusto naming magka-kumpiyansa sila, and hindi kasi makukuha ng isang game lang yung kumpiyansa para magkaroon ng maayos na thinking or diskarte doon sa loob ng laro. Talagang kailangan pag-buhusan ng oras sa training,” De Jesus explained.
“So, maganda naman yung nagiging — unti-unti nagiging maganda yung resulta.”
Canino also commended Reyes, emphasizing how her balanced playmaking makes La Salle more difficult for opponents to read.
“Gaya nga nung sabi nila, kung maging effective yung lahat at nakikita na nakakapatay ang lahat, mas lalong nakakalito for other teams na bantayan kami, so I think that’s a positive note din sa team namin,” said the Season 85 MVP.
#WATCH: Coach Ramil de Jesus beams with pride as Mikole Reyes finds her rhythm as La Salle’s ace setter
@JustinValencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/cj1DemfcOn
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 2, 2025
