The De La Salle Lady Spikeres. UAAP Media. 

MANILA — The De La Salle Lady Spikers’ championship retention bid is off to a good start after they swept Adamson University on Saturday night.

And while what followed was a celebratory mood as long-time DLSU coach Ramil De Jesus also clinched his 300th win in the UAAP, with him even reflecting on this historic feat, De Jesus also touched one of the struggles that he has recently faced.

UAAP: La Salle opens title-retention bid with sweep of Adamson

Ramil De Jesus emotional after getting 300th UAAP win with La Salle

“Napakahirap ngayon kasi ‘di natin alam kung paano tatagal yung players,” the 12-time champion mentor told reporters at the MOA Arena, referring to players who are opting to forgo their playing years in the collegiate level and instead compete in the professional ranks.

“Kasi yung iba talagang ite-train mo today, then tomorrow ‘di mo alam ano nasa isip ng bata kasi maraming nawala.”

“Ang hirap nung transition.”

“Hindi mo alam kung hanggang kailang ka sasamahan ng bata. Yung mga nasa commercial team, talagang ina-eye [sila], lalo na kaming defending champions, ina-eye players namin. Yung tinatarget nila kung sino yung gusto nila na makatulong sa team nila.”

“Napakahirap nung transition. Yung sinasabi ni Em [Povido] na mahirap palitan yung position ng middle last year,” RDJ continued as he went on to talk about some specific problems of the Lady Archers inside the court, one that was affected by the departure of some of their key cogs in Fifi Sharma, Mars Alba, Jolina Dela Cruz, and Justine Jazareno.

“Since senior high, na-train na natin, kumbaga na-polish na natin. [Kaso] by the time na kailangan na pakinabangan ng team, nawawala. Yun yung pinakamahirap na part sa mga coaches,” he said.

However, the legendary La Salle coach is not opting to dwell further on this concern.

“Ang maganda lang ay meron kang ite-train na bago at ready na punan yung position [na nawala]. Yun yung magandang nangyayari ngayon, kasi may mga players ka na gusto nilang gampanan or maglaro sa ganung position na nawala,” he said.

For now, it is up to their key holdovers in Angel Canino, Thea Gagate, and Povido to lead the team as they aim for back-to-back UAAP titles.

“Nakikita ko kailangan pa nila mas mag-jell,” De Jesus admitted. “Lalo na yung setter, napakahirap palitan ng setter last year. Then yung libero, kasi kung hindi stable yung pasa ng libero mahihirapan. Kailangan namin mag-adjust ng todo todo and ‘yun yung iwo-workout namin.”

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