The celebratory mood was palpable throughout the Arellano University Gym, Friday afternoon.
Everyone — from the national team hopefuls, Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas Incorporated officials, to the online spectators on social media — was overjoyed that La Salle head coach Ramil De Jesus took over as the head coach of the Women’s National Volleyball Team. De Jesus was the last coach to steer the Philippines to a bronze medal finish in the Southeast Asian Games in 2005.
De Jesus was equally elated, but admitted that he was also already feeling the pressure of reviving the National Team program.
“Well, unang-una, ‘yung totoong feeling is pressure.
“Pero syempre ‘yung big responsibility, naka-pasan na ‘yun sa shoulder ko. So hindi madaling trabaho, pero dahil siguro kailangan na nating ayusin yung national team, and then siguro kailangan ng unity para maayos,” shared the 10-time UAAP champion mentor.
The F2 Logistics’ program head was satisfied that 18 from his 34 “wishlist” players attended today’s first tryout. He, however, wishes that more players will come to the second tryout on April 18.
“Well, siguro, magkakaroon pa kami ng another tryout for next week, siguro, para doon sa mga hindi nakapunta today,” he emphasized. “And then siguro i-open tryout namin. Actually, open tryout naman ito. Mas bigyan natin ng chance ‘yung mga hindi nakapunta.
“Alam naman natin na hindi ganoon kadali dahil maraming commitments ‘yung iba, kaya hopefully next week, makita ko sila.”
Proudly building the Lady Spikers’ program from the ground up since 1997, De Jesus brings with him a strong reputation with championships im every league he’s coached.
Regardless of what other people think, De Jesus assures he will not show any sort of preference to his former La Salle wards.
That’s how he became successful in the first place.
“Well 25 kasi is 25 kasi,” De Jesus pointed out the number of players he will take in his pool. “Hindi naman puro La Salle siguro yung mapupunta. Wala naman ako sa national team last year, pero karamihan naman ng kinuha nila, nasa La Salle. So ako naman, hindi ko titingnan kung La Salle player or from other school or other company ang kukunin ko.
“Ang sa akin, yung pwede natin magamit sa loob ng court and yung makakasunod sa sistema.”
