THRONES may switch on to other territories, new forces may emerge to seize it, and dynasties may fall but one way or another, the crown will always find its way back to De La Salle University (DLSU) head coach Ramil de Jesus’ (RDJ) head.
As if there was still any inch of doubt, Mr. de Jesus — unarguably the greatest collegiate volleyball royalty in history already — added another feather in his cap with his lucky 13th championship.
And he did it in the most convincing way possible, steering the DLSU Lady Spikers to an immaculate 16-0 conquering of Season 88 women’s volleyball after a 25-22, 25-16, 25-16 trashing of back-to-back titleholder National University (NU) in Game 2 of the finals witnessed by more than 22,000 fans over the weekend at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Legacy wasn’t only cemented but furnished. Yet for Mr. de Jesus, it has always been about Taft and not him personally despite boasting nine runner-up finishes, 22 finals appearances, and 25 Final Four stints as well in almost three decades of sustained dominance and excellence.
Mr. de Jesus championing humility would be an understatement as all of La Salle’s achievements have RDJ prints on it since he took over the La Salle program in 1996, turning it to the best and winningest collegiate volleyball program in the country since then.
Also sprinkled all over were the two three-peat feats and 336 wins, the most for any UAAP volleyball coach ever. The 336th one was the sweetest as La Salle completed a dream perfect season to slay the ghost of its 2014 meltdown against Ateneo de Manila University after wasting a thrice-to-beat finals edge from a 14-0 elims sweep.
The Lady Spikers also leveled with the NU Lady Bulldogs, 2-2, in four finals encounters in the last five seasons, thus replicating the latter’s 16-0 feat in 2022. Ateneo also did it in 2015, making La Salle only the third team in history to score 16 wins but the only two-time unbeaten team ever after doing it first in 2004 when the old UAAP format declared teams with perfect 14-0 slate after the elims as outright champions.
Through the years, the grizzled tactician has produced the country’s pro stars and national team mainstays like the legendary Manilla Santos-Ng, Melissa Gohing-Nacino, Tin Tiamzon, Desiree Cheng, Chie Saet, Mika Reyes, Aby Maraño, Michele Gumabao, Cha Cruz-Behag, Kim Kianna Dy, Kim Fajardo, Majoy Baron, Ara Galang, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate and Jolina Dela Cruz, among the few.
The GOAT (Greatest of All Time). The dynasty himself. The starmaker. Mr. de Jesus had it all yet for him at the end of the day, he’s just a teacher with endless passion who stood the test of time. Yes, albeit willing, patient, strict and understanding all at once.
And that’s the legacy he wants to leave in Taft and beyond when his stars hang their collegiate jerseys to represent clubs or the country equipped with his teachings on and off the Taraflex.
Now, La Salle has produced another quartet of stars in Finals MVP Shevana Laput, former Rookie-MVP Angel Canino, libero leader Lyka De Leon, and Best Middle Blocker Amie Provido, who are still undecided for a fifth and final year of eligibility.
Only time can tell if these seniors will return to defend La Salle’s title but as the legend in Taft says — players come and go, thrones may switch territories, new forces may emerge and dynasties may fall but the culture stays.
Heavy is the head that wears the crown and that’s Mr. de Jesus. — John Bryan Ulanday
The greatest collegiate volleyball royalty in history: DLSU coach Ramil de Jesus
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