MANILA, Philippines — For the first time in 13 years, La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus lost an opening game after falling to defending champion National University, 23-25. 21-25, 18-25, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Spikers, who lost vital cogs from last year’s campaign including setter Julia Coronel and Thea Gagate, started their season off the wrong foot. The last time De Jesus and La Salle dropped their first game of the season was back in Season 75 in December 2012 when they fell to University of Santo Tomas in five sets.

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“Sabi ko, sa batch niyo pa nangyari. Medyo masakit pero syempre kailangan din intindihin mo ‘yung side ng mga bata. Mahirap ‘yun. Alam naman natin na lahat gustong manalo eh, siguro mas gusto lang manalo ng NU kanina,” De Jesus told reporters.

READ: UAAP: La Salle opening loss to NU a ‘wake-up call’

La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus after their opening loss to NU. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/xlL3c2Kqbt

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 16, 2025

Shevana Laput was the lone bright spot for the Lady Spikers with 18 points, while captain Angel Canino struggled with seven points. 

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De Jesus stressed that the setter role is crucial as starting rookie playmaker Micole Reyes had a jittery debut and was subbed out for Jules Tolentino. Tolentino only had five excellent sets and was thoroughly outplayed by her veteran NU counterpart Lams Lamina, who dished out 20 excellent sets.

“Every year nage-evolve ‘yung volleyball eh. So ang challenge ngayon eh kung kaya maka-adapt. Lalo na sa recruitment kasi ‘yun ang problema eh,” he said. “Kapag medyo active ka sa pagre-recruit and then lahat ng class A na player nakukuha mo, advantage sa team mo ‘yun. Pero kung kukuha ka ng mga class B, napakahirap i-develop and isabay doon sa mga class A. Mahabang proseso ‘yun.”

READ: UAAP: Defending champion NU handles La Salle

It may be a tough campaign opener for the Lady Spikers but De Jesus urged his wards that they are just getting started as they hope to return to the Finals this year after getting dethroned in Season 86 with a Final Four exit at the hands of the twice-to-beat University of Santo Tomas.

“Sabi ko nga sa mga bata ang totoong laban kapag umabot ka na ng finals. Hindi dito sa eliminations. Importante lang eh igapang natin na makapasok sa top two or top four and then doon siguro unti-unti ng magkakaroon ng kumpiyansa mga bata kapag umabot sa ganung punto,” he said.

La Salle seeks to bounce back against the Shaina Nitura-led Adamson on Saturday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.