Locally, few coaches can boast the same success as Ramil De Jesus
In 19 years as head coach of the De La Salle University Lady Spikers, De Jesus led the program to 10 titles and 17 Finals appearances. He’s coached the National Team and groomed several players who went on to become legends of the sport.
Admittedly, things did not come as easy for De Jesus in the club ranks, specifically in the Philippine Superliga.
De Jesus has been involved with the league since its inception in 2013, and started off juggling several sponsors. It wasn’t until he landed the backing of F2 Logistics in 2016 that he gained consistent success.
Last August 2016, De Jesus broke his PSL curse after claiming the 2016 All-Filipino Cup. A year and four months later, the decorated mentor has finally plucked the Chooks-to-Go Grand Prix championship in an epic three-game series with Petron.
In some ways, it was vindication for the Cargo Movers after they had lost the 2017 AFC title to the Blaze Spikers.
“Alam naman natin na malakas na team talaga ang Petron. Pareho kami na may mga locals na handa mag-contribute kaya sobrang saya namin na kahit papaano, naka-isa na kami sa kanila,” De Jesus reflected.
It has been a roller coaster Grand Prix for F2 Logistics. De Jesus remembered how he did not get his first picks for imports, and also how they started training late.
“Hindi talaga namin in-expect na ganito sila kagaling,” said De Jesus of Kennedy Bryan and Maria Jose Perez.
“Sobrang coachable nila and magaling makisama sa team kaya madali kaming naka-adapt aa kanila.”
After finally winning the Grand Prix, De Jesus has immediately set his eyes on the UAAP Season 81, which begins in February.
Indeed, there is no rest for wickedly talented.
“Sunod-sunod, pero ganoon talaga. Buti na lang sabay kong napapa-training ‘yung mga teams ko.”
