Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Ramil de Jesus has been with the the De La Salle Lady Spikers for more than a decade and the school’s eight titles have been won under him.
But tt’s been three years since La Salle last won the title when it completed a three-peat in 2013 and de Jesus hopes to add another one to his trophy case this season.
“Lahat pinapangarap [mag-champion], sana sa amin na ang year na ito (Everyone’s goal is to become a champion. I hope this year will be our time),” de Jesus said Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
And De Jesus’ wish can be fulfilled come Wednesday when the Lady Spikers take on the Lady Eagles of Ateneo in the second game of the Finals.
La Salle took Game 1 after a gritty 25-22, 25-22, 25-21 sweep of Ateneo, the team that beat the Lady Spikers twice in the previous two finals duels.
De Jesus said he saw the confidence and trust of his players, something that lacked when they lost to Ateneo in the second round.
“Importante kasi bumalik tiwala ng mga player ko, napakahirap makuha yun lalo na back-to-back champion ang Ateneo (The important thing is my players got their trust back. It’s hard to get that especially with Ateneo winning back-to-back championships),” de Jesus said.