By MARK REY MONTEJO
Coach Ramil de Jesus has been with La Salle women’s volleyball team long before the women’s pro league became a big hit in the country.
Now on his 27th year with the team, de Jesus is almost synonymous to the success of the Lady Spikers – a living witness to the team’s rise from mere “whipping girls” to becoming one of the successful schools in the UAAP.
Small wonder, the Lady Spikers are already proud winners of 12 UAAP titles which they won in 20 finals appearances – all under de Jesus’ brilliant coaching.
But he’s not yet tired of winning. Not yet.
With his brilliance and tough love, de Jesus steered the team to its 21st finals appearance despite its worst start since Season 68 — a 1-2 win-loss record in the early part of the eliminations.
And the secret? There’s none.
It’s all about hard work and passion.
That’s why de Jesus, a former opposite hitter of the Far Eastern University men’s volleyball team and a BS Commerce Major in Management graduate in 1993, is still standing strong while being touted as one of the best to ever grace the sidelines of the collegiate scene.
“Siguro ano hard work lang ‘yon, kasi eto naman ‘yong passion mo as a coach,” said de Jesus after twice-to-beat holder La Salle struck back at University of Santo Tomas in four sets in the semifinals last weekend at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“So, ‘yong maturuan mo ‘yong mga bata… mailabas mo ‘yong talent nila, once madala mo sa finals ‘yong mga bata parang ang laking fulfillment no’n para sa coach,” he added.
“Isa ‘yon ‘yong nagmo-motivate sakin para at least maibigay ko sa kanila ‘yong mga dapat nilang matutunan.”
De Jesus largely credited for the rise of the country’s volleyball stars of today, including Kim Dy, Ara Galang, Michelle Gumabao, Aby Maraño, Kim Fajardo, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Majoy Baron, and Des Cheng, who are now successful in their respective career in the pro ranks.
Not to mention, in his early years, de Jesus also mentored former collegiate stars in the likes of Iris Ortega, Desiree Hernandez, Maureen Penetrante, Jacqueline Alarca, Manilla Santos-Ng, Cha Cruz-Behag, Melissa Gohing-Nacino, and the list goes on.
Highlighting de Jesus’ career, he guided La Salle to a three-peat thrice and eight runner-up finishes.
And with La Salle, which is led by Angel Canino and Shevana Laput, heading into the finals action anew which created a modern-day rivalry with reigning champion National University, de Jesus aims to level the Lady Bulldogs’ depth, in terms of talent and chemistry.
“Kilala naman natin ‘yong NU, since high school magkakasama na ‘yong mga ‘yan, and talagang ang lalim ng experience nila sa isa’t isa,” de Jesus continued.
“So sa amin, paghandaan lang namin, marami pa akong kailangan i-ayos sa team eh… siguro kung mailalabas nila ‘yong ini-expect ko sa kanila and makasabay kami and magkaroon ng chance, malaking chance,” he added.
NU beat La Salle the first time they clashed three years ago but the Taft-based school evened up matters with a masterful win in the following season. Then last year, La Salle was beaten by UST in the semis.
Expect the trilogy between these two fancied teams to produce records and make volleyball fans very happy.
