In 26 seasons at the helm of De La Salle University, Ramil de Jesus has turned consistency into a legacy, guiding the Lady Spikers to the podium 24 times and shaping one of the most dominant dynasties in the UAAP.
The latest chapter came in UAAP Season 88, where La Salle completed a flawless run to its 13th championship overall after sweeping the tournament in emphatic fashion.
Under De Jesus, the Lady Spikers have also collected nine silver medals and two bronze finishes, a testament not just to longevity but to sustained excellence across generations of players.
For the veteran tactician, however, success has always been rooted in one principle: the willingness to keep evolving.
The Lady Spikers ended a three-year title drought on Saturday in front of 22,509 fans inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena. They dominated the NU Lady Bulldogs, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16, to clinch the championship and complete a rare 16-0 sweep.
“Para sa akin kasi, kung ano yung nakikita naming level, kailangan mong habulin eh. So kung sino nag-champion, kailangan habulin at paghandaan yung level ng nag-champion,” said De Jesus.
That, more than anything, defined La Salle’s title run — chasing the standard set by the then back-to-back champion NU Lady Bulldogs before ultimately overtaking them this season.
From steering the Lady Spikers to their first crown in Season 62 (1999–2000) to delivering their 13th this year, De Jesus has maintained a consistent approach in handling players across different eras — demanding adaptability as a non-negotiable trait of wearing the green and white.
“Para sa akin kasi, pag pumunta ka sa La Salle, kailangan ready ka dapat mag-adjust. Kasi kailangan mong sumunod, kailangan mong gawin kasi kung pumunta ka doon para ma-associate sa La Salle, eh hindi ’yon ang goal,” said De Jesus.
“Siguro kung pupunta ka, kailangan talaga kakayanin lahat.”
Even as La Salle became only the third team in UAAP history to finish a season 16-0 — joining Season 77 Ateneo de Manila University and Season 84 NU — the road to perfection was anything but smooth.
Key players Shevana Laput, Mikole Reyes, and Lilay del Castillo all missed games during the elimination round due to illnesses, forcing the team to constantly adjust its rotations.
Still, De Jesus believed the adversity only strengthened their resolve.
“Actually, napakahirap kasi first round pa lang, ang dami na naming struggles sa team. Andyan na yung mga games na wala si Shevana, may mga games na wala si Lilay, si Mikole,” he said.
“Yun yung mga struggles na hinarap ng team. Sabi ko, ito yung challenges na dapat pagdaanan. And then, second round, ganun din. Kaya sabi ko, baka mag-champion tayo kasi ang dami ng challenges, eh.”
