During the late 2000s up to the early 2010s, Ramil de Jesus flat-out dominated the UAAP.

Since De La Salle University returned from a one-year suspension in UAAP Season 70, the Lady Spikers went on to win four of the next six women’s volleyball titles.

“Before, ang binibilang ko lang kalaban noon siguro FEU, UST, even Adamson, siguro,” De Jesus once told Tiebreaker Times.

But the past 13 years have seen the rise of two programs — first, Ateneo de Manila University, and currently, National University.

Both forced De Jesus to re-learn the game, adjust his system, and keep up with the times.

TAI’S SYSTEM

When Tai Bundit took over as head coach of the Lady Eagles in 2013, the UAAP landscape was shaken to its core.

Bundit built a machine led by sensation Alyssa Valdez, complemented by playmaker Jia Morado, libero Denden Lazaro, and the likes of Ella De Jesus, Amy Ahomiro, and Mich Morente.

The Lady Eagles climbed through the stepladder format before stunning the Lady Spikers, who held a thrice-to-beat advantage.

A year later, the Ateneo juggernaut continued, sweeping UAAP Season 77.

“Nung wala pa si Tai dito, wala, walang challenge ‘yung UAAP noon para sa akin. Noong dumating siya, nagulat ako na, uy, ganitong level ‘yung dinala niya rito sa Philippines, so kailangan kong mag-adjust,” said De Jesus.

To match Bundit’s uptempo, confidence-driven system, De Jesus reinforced La Salle’s defensive discipline and tightened their transition play, making sure the Lady Spikers could absorb the Lady Eagles’ speed without losing structure.

“Kailangan kong abutin ‘yung ganitong level na dinala niya.”

Adjust he did, defeating Bundit in the next two seasons before the Thai head coach left Ateneo in UAAP Season 80.

“Naging challenge ‘yung pagdating niya. Noong dumating siya, nag-evolve ‘yung volleyball.”

Though Bundit would end up with an 11–10 record against De Jesus, La Salle held a 3–2 championship advantage, with Ateneo not making the finals in UAAP Season 80.

But while De Jesus was dealing with Bundit, a new power was rising in Jhocson Street.

Built from the grassroots, National University was steadily streamlining its program.

MONOLITH’S MACHINERY

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

In UAAP Season 77, National University–Nazareth School captured its first-ever girls’ volleyball title.

The Lady Bullpups would go on to establish a dynasty in the division, winning four straight championships.

The NUNS program was headed by coach Babes Castillo and managed by Monolith Construction and Development Corporation president Engr. Mariano “Bing” See Diet.

However, there was a major issue at the time.

The Lady Bullpups and Lady Bulldogs programs were not aligned, with the women’s team handled under a different management setup.

This led to some of NUNS’ blue-chip talents, such as Faith Nisperos and Thea Gagate, leaving and committing to other UAAP schools.

The culture shifted when See Diet was also tasked to handle the Lady Bulldogs program.

Players like Jen Nierva, Joyme Cagande, Princess Robles, Ivy Lacsina, and, more importantly, the “Golden Generation” of Mhicaela Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Camilla Lamina, Sheena Toring, and Erin Pangilinan would go on to represent NU in college.

By UAAP Season 84, that core had already reached the collegiate level.

NU had become the biggest headache for De Jesus.

“Yung recruitment ng NU mabigat dun e, kasi mostly lahat ng blue chip, nakukuha ng NU and then high school, ganun din. High school players pa lang, naiipon na sa kanila,” said De Jesus.

Instead of trying to match NU’s stacked recruitment pipeline, De Jesus leaned into La Salle’s player development program, focusing on maximizing what he had and refining players already within the system.

NU swept UAAP Season 84 — including a dominant finals victory over La Salle, led by rookie MVP Belen.

La Salle had its own super rookie in UAAP Season 85 in Angel Canino, who helped lead the Lady Spikers’ bounce-back run — capped by two hard-earned finals wins over the Lady Bullpups.

The next two seasons, however, proved difficult for La Salle.

The Lady Spikers finished third in UAAP Season 86 before being swept by NU in the UAAP Season 87 Finals in the swansong of the “Golden Generation” sans Lamina.

UAAP Season 88, however, told a different story.

With renewed focus, “Batch 122”, composed of Canino, Shevana Laput, Amie Provido, and Lyka De Leon, led La Salle to a dominant 16-0 sweep of the tournament.

It also helped that De Jesus finally found a stable setter in rookie Shan Nunag.

“Ngayon kasi, alam ko namang manipis yung team ko ngayon; hindi sobrang lalim ng bench namin, so makikita niyo naman na iilan lang ang umiikot na players diyan. Hindi katulad ng NU na kahit sinong gamitin mo, talagang puwede, eh. Sa amin, iilan lang,” reflected De Jesus.

“Kaya sabi ko, itong naitawid namin na ito, happy-happy ako kasi kahit ganito lang yung team namin, konti lang ang puwedeng mapaikot, naitawid namin sa finals.”

THE NEXT REINVENTION

On Tuesday, “Batch 122” committed to play out their final season in UAAP Season 89.

Of course, NU will still be the second-best team on paper, along with Adamson and UST.

The Lady Bullpups pipeline, meanwhile, continues to churn out blue-chip recruits, as evidenced by NUNS’ still-ongoing dynasty that has seen the program win three of the last four girls’ volleyball championships in the post-pandemic era.

The Lady Bulldogs program has also continued to recruit top prospects from all over the country, ensuring that NU remains a perennial contender for years to come.

And De Jesus hopes this batch gets the swansong they deserve before he once again re-adjusts to the next trend in UAAP volleyball.

“Siguro, ito yung last source ng recruitment namin, sila Angel na yun e. And then after nun, mag-uumpisa ulit kami,” said De Jesus.

“Tingnan natin kung kailan mahihinog. So, depende ’yon sa bata kung kailan mag-improve, mag-mature. So, itong Season 88, nag-mature na sila, kaya kami nakabalik dito sa finals,” he continued.

“Yung disiplina kasi iisa lang ang goal nila. Tapos yung leadership. Nag-mature naman lahat, lalo na yung mga seniors. Yun ang importante kasi kung meron kang seniors, ito ang goal; susunod lang ang mga bata. Mahirap yung maraming seniors, pero iba-iba naman yung goal nila. Marami ka ngang players, pero iba-iba yung goal, hindi iisa. Ngayon, iisa eh. Alam kong iisa ang goal nila.”

The post From Tai’s System to Monolith’s Machinery: How Ramil de Jesus kept reinventing La Salle appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

Three decades of unparalleled success in the UAAP have not dulled Ramil de Jesus’ drive, as the legendary coach remains committed to extending his already illustrious legacy with De La Salle University.

Fresh off capturing his — and the Lady Spikers’ — 13th championship after sweeping the NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Finals to complete a perfect 16-0 campaign,

De Jesus admitted that stepping away has crossed his mind. Still, he emphasized that he will continue coaching as long as he is able.

“Hindi naman permanente ’tong posisyon ko eh. Pinag-iisipan ko na rin ’yon, pero hangga’t pinagkakaloob sa taas, tanggapin lang natin kung kaya pa. Kung di naman kaya, edi magpahinga na,” said De Jesus on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“Hopefully, makabalik kung pagkakaloob sa taas na malakas tayo,” he added when asked about a possible return in Season 89.

Across 29 years of mentoring the Lady Spikers, De Jesus has shaped countless players into stars, icons, and legends of Philippine volleyball.

His commitment, however, has often gone beyond wins and losses.

Even during UAAP Season 84, when he was dealing with illness, De Jesus was still frequently seen on the sidelines coaching La Salle and even making time to visit his former Lady Spikers players competing in the PVL, underscoring his unwavering dedication to his players.

He also credits this relentless work ethic and hands-on approach to his two mentors, Emil Lantoc and the late, legendary Kid Santos, who helped shape his coaching philosophy and deep sense of responsibility to his players.

For him, coaching has never been about recognition. Instead, it is driven by his continued desire to make an impact — not only on his players but on the sport as a whole.

“Actually, ano, kahit siguro may sakit ako, parang pag nakita ko yung bata na may potential, hindi ako puwedeng hindi ko siya pakialaman or hindi ko siya maturuan,” said De Jesus, explaining his coaching mindset.

“Parang pag nakita ko na, kahit medyo mabigat ang pakiramdam ko sa training, pag nakita ko yung bata na medyo mali yung ginagawa, talagang pupuntahan ko yun, papakialaman ko yun kahit na… hindi ko mapalampas na hindi ko siya matulungan man lang or mabigyan ng kahit anong tip,” he continued.

“Tingin ko yun ang tinatawag na passion eh. Ayun ako eh.”

In 29 years and 26 seasons at the helm of La Salle, De Jesus has collected 13 championships, nine runner-up finishes, and two bronze medals, missing the podium only twice.

With numbers that already place him among the greatest coaches in Philippine volleyball history, De Jesus has nothing left to prove.

Still, he insists his journey is far from over — continuing for his players, for La Salle, and for Philippine volleyball.

The post Passion drives Ramil De Jesus as he vows to keep shaping Lady Spikers appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

As De La Salle University celebrated its 13th championship in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament, the electric crowd inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena held its breath, waiting to see who would step into the middle of the Archers’ Stance tradition.

But the Lady Spikers delivered a statement of their own as none of the team’s seniors — Angel Canino, Shevana Laput, Amie Provido, and Lyka De Leon — stepped into the center of the formation.

It remained empty.

And in that moment, the La Salle faithful were filled with joy and hope, as the seniors signaled their intent to return for one more year in pursuit of a back-to-back championship.

The post Full-circle ‘Archers’ Stance’ signals return of La Salle seniors for title defense appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.