Thirty years, thirteen crowns, one standard

MANILA, Philippines — Thirteen championships since 1999. The La Salle Lady Spikers keep finding ways to bring the UAAP crown to Taft Avenue.

The names on the floor change. The standard doesn’t. One person has been constant: coach Ramil de Jesus, who’s run the program for 30 seasons.

As if there was still any doubt, De Jesus added another feather to his cap with his 13th championship. And he did it in the most convincing way possible, steering the Lady Spikers to an immaculate 16-0 run in Season 88 after a 25-22, 25-16, 25-16 sweep of back-to-back titleholder National U in Game 2.

More than 22,000 fans watched at the Mall of Asia Arena as La Salle finished what it started.

Legacy wasn’t just cemented but furnished. Yet for De Jesus, it has always been about Taft, not him personally, despite nine runner-up finishes, 22 finals appearances, and 25 Final Four stints across almost three decades of sustained excellence.

“Pag pumunta ka sa La Salle, kailangan ready ka dapat mag-adjust. Hindi pwedeng wala kang disiplina kasi ito ‘yung kultura rito,” he said. “Kailangan lahat kayanin mo. Part ‘yun ng pagiging student-athlete sa La Salle.”

Every La Salle achievement since 1996 has his fingerprints on it. He turned the program into the best and winningest in collegiate volleyball.

Sprinkled through that run are two three-peats and 336 wins, the most for any UAAP volleyball coach.

Through the years, the grizzled tactician has produced the country’s pro stars and national team mainstays. The list runs long: Manila Santos-Ng, Melissa Gohing-Nacino, Chie Saet, Cha Cruz-Behag, Michele Gumabao, Aby Maraño, Mika Reyes, Kim Fajardo, Kianna Dy, Ara Galang, Majoy Baron, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Desiree Cheng, Tin Tiamzon, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, and Jolina dela Cruz, among many others.

The dynasty himself. The starmaker. De Jesus has earned every label, yet at the end of the day he calls himself a teacher.