Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — After playing the bridesmaid for two consecutive years to their rivals the Ateneo Lady Eagles, the La Salle Lady Spikers made their triumphant return to the pinnacle of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball on Saturday (April 30).
The Lady Eagles took the first set through strong play from reigning MVP Alyssa Valdez, but the Lasallians found their feet as the game went on to take the following three sets.
The victory gives La Salle their ninth championship in the Final Four era, and their multi-titled coach Ramil de Jesus calls their latest triumph as their most difficult one so far.
“Pinakamahirap itong year na ‘to kasi very competitive ang lahat ng teams,” said de Jesus. “Ngayon lahat kailangan paghandaan.”
[Translation: This year was the hardest because all the teams were very competitive. Now we need to prepare well for everybody.]
Related: La Salle shoots down Ateneo, reclaims UAAP women’s volleyball crown
The Lady Spikers finished the elimination round after dropping three games, losing out to eventual finalists Ateneo, the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses.
After the elimination round, the Lasallians very place in the finals was at risk after they lost to the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws in their first meeting of the semifinals.
The Lady Spikers navigated through the challenge of FEU in their second attempt, to arrange a fifth consecutive La Salle-Ateneo final.
Finals proved to be the dramatic encounters that both sets of fans craved for before the series. But unlike the last two years, it was the side in green that lifted the trophy.
Now that the confetti has fallen and coach de Jesus can finally enjoy another championship after two years of coming close, he says that this is most definitely the most memorable one.
“Ito ‘yung pinakamahirap, ito ‘yung pinakamasarap,” he said.
[Translation: This is the most difficult, this is the sweetest.]
Related: Valdez after finals loss: We couldn’t ask for more, we gave our best
