As De La Salle University swept the University of the Philippines on Sunday to become the first team to secure a spot in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament, it proved once again that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Extending a dynasty that began in Season 71, the Lady Spikers have now secured their 16th consecutive postseason appearance. Over that dominant stretch, La Salle has captured eight championships while producing players who have transitioned from collegiate stars to professional and international standouts.
The architect behind the Taft school’s storied program — Ramil De Jesus — emphasized that sustaining such success is no easy feat, especially given the constant turnover of players.
“Every batch naman kasi, may mga mawawala,” said De Jesus. “’Yun yung dilemma ng mga coaches para sa college, kasi every four years may nawawalang players. So, may papasok, so ite-train mo ulit. Paano mo ipapa-adapt sa kanila yung sistema? ‘Yun yung pinakamahirap kasi.
“So sa ngayon, unti-unti naming… on-process kami para doon sa mga bata. Tsaka ito, katulong ko yung mga seniors para i-implement yung ganung sistema para at least yung mga iiwanan nila, nandoon pa rin. So ganun lang, para laging gutom doon sa panalo.”
There was the batch of Jacq Alarca, Aby Maraño, and Ara Galang — Most Valuable Players from Seasons 73 to 75 — who all led the team to championships.
The next three-peat came in Seasons 78 to 80, with standout performers Majoy Baron, Dawn Macandili, Kianna Dy, and Des Cheng leading the charge.
Currently sitting atop the standings with a flawless 10-0 record, La Salle is within striking distance of replicating its undefeated campaigns from Seasons 67 and 68.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
While this batch of Lady Spikers remains adamant about avoiding complacency and taking a one-game-at-a-time approach, it will take a monumental effort from the FEU Lady Tamaraws, Ateneo Blue Eagles, UE Lady Warriors, or NU Lady Bulldogs to halt their momentum and deny them an outright ticket to the finals.
As in any high-stakes competition, La Salle is focusing strictly on what it can control.
The man leading the charge — a champion mentor who has seen and done it all — is adamant that his players keep their feet firmly on the ground.
“Sa akin kasi, ano eh—basta may dumating, nagpe-prepare lang kami every game,” said De Jesus. “So, kung ano man yung standing namin, secondary na lang ‘yun; siguro result na lang ‘yun. Pero kami, kung ano man yung dumating, basta sabi ko sa mga bata: maghanda lang tayo.
“Bigyan ng respeto yung bawat kalaban. Although nadaan natin nung first round ito, ‘yun—lahat sila mag-a-adjust, so dapat ready lang tayo.”
#WATCH: EVERY YEAR, NAG-E-EVOLVE ANG VOLLEYBALL 🏹
Ramil de Jesus stresses the importance of adapting to the times — the secret of his program’s consistency 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/aza1GOey7K
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— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 29, 2026
