While we’re already competing for various clubs in the Philippine Superliga, our younger sisters are also playing for De La Salle University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

He was very patient and pinned his trust on me until I got everything right

Tons of happy memories come flashing back as I recalled I used to be like them.

Around five years ago, I also proudly donned La Salle’s green and white and trekked the path they are walking now.

I remember that when I was a rookie, our first tournament was the National Intercollegiate Volleyball Championship in Baguio City.

Coach Ramil (de Jesus) constantly berated me for all my miscues and rookie mistakes. There were times that I couldn’t even make a serve without committing an error. All he could do was scratch his head and wonder what can he do to make it work.

At one point, I was wishing him to pull me out of the game so I can avoid making a serve. So every time my turn to make a serve comes, I would look at him and wish that he would pull me out and replace me with a service specialist.

This was taken during the recent birthday party of our coach, Ramil de Jesus. It was such a momentous occasion as I got to meet the new breed of La Salle players — our little sisters. He left me inside the court and allowed me to commit mistakes. He was very patient and pinned his trust on me until I got everything right.

Gosh, it was such a great ride. I learned a lot from that experience and I wouldn’t be the kind of person I am right now if not for all the sacrifices I made and lessons I gained while playing for the Lady Spikers.

I watched the new breed of La Salle players recently and I can say that I am very impressed.

The Lady Spikers — I call them our little sisters — opened their campaign against our bitter nemesis in Ateneo de Manila University and displayed the same grit and might that made everybody proud.

It was just the first game of the season, but the pressure was already insane. The drums were banging, the chants were loud and the crowd was on its feet. I’m glad that the Lady Spikers walked away with the victory and some new players made a lot of heads turn with their fine performance.

I already met some of the rookies when coach Ramil threw a party and all I can say is that they are really tall and full of potential.

Lourdes Clemente, whom I played with in the AVC Asian Club Women’s Championship in Kazakhstan two years ago, is also coming in as a rookie after transferring from University of Perpetual Help System Dalta. She also has a lot of potential as she was already named as Best Middle Blocker in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Meanwhile, some of the veterans like Desiree Cheng, CJ Saga and Aduke Ogunsanya used to be my teammates. I’m very happy to see them grow inside and outside the court.

Overall, I believe the program laid down by coach Ramil is on the right track.

As for our Lady Spikers, all I can say is that they should always play not for what is written at the back of their jerseys, but what is written in front: De La Salle University.

They should always carry that Animo pride not only in their minds, but also in their hearts. They should trust themselves first to be able to lead others.

Also based on my own experience, they should give their full commitment and focus on their academics, especially during the UAAP season. They should do this so they won’t regret and they know that they gave their very best.

They should remember that we — their seniors — are always here to guide and support them.

I know how thankful and grateful they are to play the sport they love the most for a school that provides quality education. So it’s very important they keep on playing, stay humble and be thankful to everybody, especially to Him.

We may no longer be in the UAAP, but rest assured that we’re just a call away.

So to our Lady Spikers, our little sisters, we wish you the best of luck!