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A shade of green was prominent throughout the PVL on Tour finals between PLDT and Chery Tiggo.
In the lead-up to the PVL on Tour finals, one of the biggest storylines was the presence of former DLSU Lady Spikers on the PLDT High Speed Hitters and Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
Both teams featured some of the most iconic Philippine volleyball stars out of Taft Avenue, with PLDT featuring the group of Kim Fajardo, Kim Kianna Dy, Majoy Baron, and Mika Reyes, while Chery Tiggo included Ara Galang and Tyang Aby Maraño.
And on Sunday, August 17, these stars finally met on the opposite sides of the SM Mall of Asia Arena Taraflex, with PLDT turning back Chery Tiggo 25-17, 25-17, 19-25, 24-26, 15-8 to win their first-ever PVL championship.
Following the game, the former DLSU stars made sure to find each other amid the championship celebrations and even formed an emotional huddle by center court.
“Masaya lang ako sa na-accomplish namin as individuals,” Galang said in a joint interview with Maraño. “Kahit na magkakaiba kaming team, magkakaibigan pa rin naman kami so masaya kami para sa isa’t isa.”
Completing this storyline was the presence of longtime DLSU coach Ramil De Jesus, who was seated by the MOA Arena’s patron area to see his players battle it out for a PVL title, along with longtime deputy Noel Orcullo.
Known to be a stoic and meticulous figure, seeing his former stars put a huge smile on De Jesus’ face, and can be compared to a father being so proud to see his children thriving.
“Sabi niya, very proud siya sa lahat ng players niya na maglalaban ngayong finals. So gustong-gusto niya talaga manood, and malaking bagay din ‘yun for us,” Reyes said.
Maraño, a three-time champion with DLSU, says that seeing Coach Ramil’s smile was a moment she will always cherish.
“Alam mo ‘yung nakalabas ‘yung dimple. Parang at ease siya, tas sobrang proud niya!” said Maraño, as their group was joined by rookies and fellow ex-Lady Spikers Jyne Soreño and Alleiah Malalauan to greet Coach Ramil.
“Parang ngayon ko lang siya nakita na ganon ‘yung itsura at tingin niya sa amin. Parang sobrang magical for me nung moment na ‘yun, na magkakasama kami at picture together, and then nag-bless.”
Tatak La Salle, Tatak RDJ
Sunday’s green-blooded reunion also serves as a reminder of these players’ volleyball roots. At the end of the day, their winning character was established by the brilliance of Coach Ramil and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put on the DLSU jersey.
“Sobrang grateful kasi ‘yung character namin na mayroong fighting spirit, ‘yung heart of a champion, galing sa kanya lahat ‘yun eh,” shared Maraño. “Nag-usap nga kami, and sabi ko na hindi ko nafe-feel na matatalo tayo.”
“Kasi dito sa finals, sobrang familiar ‘yung feeling eh. It’s very familiar, so ‘yung parang magkaroon ng ganong confidence, tingin ko kasama ‘yung lahat ng pinaghirapan namin from college years with him, to semi-pro, to now na nasa ibang team na kami.”
There are also the likes of Dy and Baron, who were once raw prospects when they first arrived at Taft Avenue. Today, they are some of the game’s most recognizable stars, with Baron still going strong as a middle blocker, and Dy in the midst of her reintroduction following a knee injury.
“Sila talaga [Coach Ramil and Coach Noel Orcullo] ‘yung naging mentor namin ever since, and the way kami maglaro, dahil din sa kanila, and nadadala namin ‘yung atittude sa loob ng court. So to see Coach Ramil to support us, sobrang sarap sa feeling,” Baron, the PVL on Tour Second Best Middle Blocker, said.
“Very thankful kasi ‘yung foundation ko sa kanila galing. Hindi naman ako pumasok ng La Salle na skilled, and every step of the way may natutunan pa rin ako.”
Dy adds, “Every time we see him…kasi hindi siya very positive thinker, so if you hear something positive from him, great achievement na ‘yan. So hopefully proud si Coach Ramil sa amin.”
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.