UAAP Season 84 Team Preview: DLSU Lady Spikers
by Robin Jerome Reyes
After taking down the defending champions, Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles, in their season opener last UAAP Season 81, the De La Salle University Lady Spikers saw an abrupt end to their season due to the pandemic. Now with the UAAP Women’s Volleyball back in full swing, the Lady Spikers are determined to finish what they started and win the championship.
History of Excellence
The Lady Spikers have been one of the most successful UAAP volleyball teams in recent memory, winning three 3-peat championships for a total of 11 championships, which is the most for any team. The latest 3-peat, where they won the championship from 2016 to 2018, came after the team fell just short of the chip in back-to-back years. The championship run saw the emergence of a talented core in Kim Dy and Majoy Baron as they developed into key components for the Taft-based squad. The Lady Spikers looked unstoppable after sweeping the FEU Lady Tamaraws in the finals, 3–0, to win the crown in Season 80. However, after dominating the league for three consecutive years, the Lady Spikers’ triumphant run came to a halt following the departure of most of their key players. A new batch of players took centerstage with highly touted prospect Jolina dela Cruz at the forefront. Unfortunately, despite a determined campaign to maintain their place atop the UAAP, the Lady Spikers failed to retain the championship. The Green-and-White succumbed to a virtual best-of-three to a young up-and-coming UST Lady Tigresses squad to bow out of championship contention.
Looking for experience
Flash forward two years, the team is mostly composed of rookies, with the departure of Cobb, Ogunsanya, Saga, and Tiamzon. However, the core of Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz, and Jolina Dela Cruz is still present and in full force. While the team has shown flashes of greatness in their one game against the Lady Eagles back in Season 81, it’s hard to base it off a single game. The rookies stepped up and showed out in their only game but they never had the chance to develop and play a full season. Now they are looked upon to lead the way for newer players this season. On one hand, with the departure of team captain Aduke Ogunsanya, the team will rely on Gagate to provide solid blocking and anchor the defense that La Salle has been known for. On the other, Alba will have large shoes to fill as she takes over as the main setter with Cobb gone. Meanwhile, Jolina dela Cruz and Leila Cruz are expected to shoulder the offensive load for the squad.
The road back to the top looks difficult for the Lady Spikers but with the talent that its roster has and a championship coach to back it up, the team looks poised to compete for the championship
Witness the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers back in action as they take on rivals Ateneo De Manila Lady Eagles once again in the season opener, May 4, 4 PM at the Mall of Asia Arena which will also be televised live on One Sports, UAAP Varsity Channel, Cignal Play, and Smart GigaPlay.
