The DLSU Lady Spikers have stood on the doorstep of a championship for the past two seasons, close enough to dance the bridesmaid, but never the bride. The Ladies donning Green last enjoyed a title in 2023, yet consecutive heartbreaks in Seasons 86 and 87 left the group defined not by collapse, but by unfinished business.
As the curtain opens for Season 88, La Salle returns with a renewed purpose shaped by history and leadership. Many have labeled this stretch a “redemption era,” but inside the Enrique M. Razon Sports Center, it carries a deeper meaning. This time, the then rookies who bathed in the program’s golden run in Season 85 are now on the verge of completing a revolution, intending to finish their collegiate journey the way it began: as champions.
Full circle moment
Season 87 was more than just a heartbreak for the Lady Spikers; it propelled them toward something greater. For the seniors, coming within reach of the title was not to be taken lightly. It was something they had to sit with, absorb, and eventually transform into purpose. “Sobrang dinibdib namin ‘yung heartbreak from last season kasi we were one step away from getting that championship,” senior Outside Hitter Angel Canino shared. She further noted that this proximity changed their mindset from only waiting for the moment to actually seizing it.
(We really took the heartbreak from last year to heart, especially since we were one step away from getting that championship.)
Beyond skill and structure, fear haunted the Animo spirit head on. Canino reflected that the pressure and jitters entering the court were palpable. “Kaya ang gusto naming iparating bilang seniors pagpasok ng Season 88 ay buo ‘yung mindset namin, buo ‘yung tiwala sa isa’t isa at sa sarili, at buo ‘yung ginagawa namin sa loob ng court.”
(What we want to convey as seniors heading into Season 88 is that our mindset is complete, our trust in ourselves and each other is complete, and everything we do on the court is done with full commitment.)
Shevana Laput, the 6-foot-2 opposite spiker, perceived this experience as a transformative full-circle moment. Once newcomers themselves during DLSU’s last championship run, she and Canino now carry what she calls “hugot” or pull that they got from their seniors when they were rookies.
Right on track
From preseason conditioning to building mental toughness, the Lady Spikers will enter Season 88 with the confidence and self-trust needed for a redemption arc. Central to this preparation was instilling the Animo spirit in newcomers by shifting their positions as emerging anchors of the team. Rookie Setter Eshana Nunag sees such exposure as an opportunity to gain experience and become a more reliable presence in the team’s rotation. “Gusto ko mas maging familiar sa mga nakakasama ko sa loob and kung papaano ako makakatulong sa kanila, lalo na sa mga seniors sa team,” she shared.
(I want to be more familiar with who I’m with inside the court and how I can help, especially to the seniors in the team.)
Competing in the UNIGAMES and the Kadayawan Davao Invitational Volleyball Tournament last 2025, where they finished as champions and runners-up, respectively, gave the rookies a clearer sense of the collegiate game’s standards. Challenged by other professional and formidable teams, they eventually settled into the cadence and embraced their roles with confidence.
The rookies have brought encouragement, added depth, and untapped potential to the lineup. Laput, one of the team’s emotional centers, shared her appreciation: “That’s something we appreciate in them: the effort, the willingness to learn, and the willingness to help on and off the court. Hearing those positive words of affirmation from them, even as an ate, feels so great.”
The chemistry that now defines the Lady Spikers is rooted in the bonds they share. Laput pointed to open communication and the simple, everyday moments, such as conversations over lunch, shared routines, and small gestures, that help build trust. Canino echoed that sentiment, taking pride in how it translates on the court, “If one of them falls, many are ready to help,” she expressed in Filipino. Both seniors see this as a manifestation of the sisterhood they hope to carry into the season.
The coaching staff also plays a key role, framing pressure as preparation, testing emotional control, and shaping players into sharper, more responsible athletes. As rookie Ashlee Buenaventura shared, “Wino-work on namin paano i-handle ‘yung pressure kahit crucial game [o] crucial point.” The rookies carry Head Coach Ramil De Jesus’ advice onto the court, knowing it draws out the true essence of a Lady Spiker: composed, fearless, and relentless.
(We’re working on how to handle the pressure, especially during a crucial game or crucial point.)
Setting the standard
Once newbies that culminated the tournament with crowns atop their heads, Canino and Laput enter a new campaign as leaders of a squad brimming with fresh faces. The former, named team captain in Season 87 and a key member of the Alas Pilipinas Women’s National Team, brings a refined approach and leadership mindset to guide her teammates. “At the international level, you have to think ‘kung ano ang kaya mo kaysa kung ano ang kaya ng ibang player… kung ang mindset mo buo at kung gustong gusto mong manalo, lalabas at lalabas talaga ‘yung mga resulta,” she shared, emphasizing a strong, self-focused mentality centered on her own abilities rather than their opponents’.
(At the international level, you have to think about what you’re capable of rather than the capabilities of others… if your mindset is solid and you have a strong will to win, the results will definitely show.)
Canino’s SEA Games stint alongside Amie Provido serves as a source of inspiration for the squad, according to Laput, expressing her great pride in their growth. “ It gives confidence to the rookies and everyone in the team that you have someone of that level, of that standard in the team,” elaborating on how both players provide stability in crucial moments. The roles assumed by the seniors complement each other—Laput provides emotional support through a positive presence while Canino serves as a motivator, constantly pushing the team to bring their best in every match and training session.
As the Lady Spikers set their sights on redemption, they are fueled by the unwavering support of the Lasallian faithful, whose cheers and beliefs they hold close to their hearts. Canino expressed her heartfelt gratitude, noting that despite coming up short, the fans remained steadfast: “Thank you, for how many seasons na, nandiyan pa rin kayo to support us, nagpapakita pa rin kayo ng pagmamahal kahit anong nangyayari sa team.” Rookie Ella De Guzman echoed the sentiment on behalf of the newcomers, eager to express their appreciation during the league. She mentioned in Filipino how the fans’ support is what makes playing in tournaments possible and how she wanted to thank everyone in-person eventually.
(Thank you, for how many seasons, you continue to support us and show love regardless of what is happening in the team.)
The path ahead remains challenging, but with rookies confident in their roles and steady in guiding the rotation, the team is moving forward with a system built for success and a clear sense of direction. The Lady Spikers aim to reclaim the glory that has eluded them since Season 86 and reassert Taft as the league’s benchmark for excellence.
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s January 2026 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSJan2026.
