Back with a hunger for gold: A look into the Green Spikers’ preparations for S86
After falling just short of a podium finish last season, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Spikers are determined to do better and take the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Volleyball title this Season 86.
Team captain JM Ronquillo shares that the team is more eager and hungry to play in the UAAP, hoping to take La Salle back to the Finals.
A Look Back on Season 85
Last season for the Green and White was filled with up-and-down games wherein the team managed to end the elimination round with an 8–6 win-loss record. The Green Spikers took down the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors in four sets to reach the Semifinals of the league since Season 75 back in 2012–2013.
However, in their Stepladder Final Four matchup against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, La Salle took the second set to even out the game. But in the third and fourth sets, the Green Spikers could not close out. This game soon ended with the Green and White finishing their UAAP Season 85 campaign in fourth place overall.
Preparations for the season
In preparation for the upcoming season, the Green Spikers focused on two things: training and team bonding. As according to Ronquillo, “kahit malakas kayo, kung hindi kayo naglalaro as a team, balewala din.”
When asked about how to describe the team, the captain used the terms family and happiness. The first word as most of the team members’ time is spent with and talking with each other, much like the dynamic of a family. Much like a family, each team member also provides support to one another when struggling with something.
“Happiness kasi, if may problema ka, if nahihirapan ka, with something, you can always rely on them,” shares the captain.
The team also joined several pre-season leagues namely, the V-League and Spiker’s Turf. In September last year, the Green Spikers were crowned the 2023 V-League Collegiate Challenge Champions after outlasting the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers in Game 2 of the Finals. La Salle also participated in the Spiker’s Turf Invitational Conference of the same year, wherein the team managed to reach the Quarterfinals with a 4–1 win-loss record but marked the end of their campaign after being bested by the professional team Cignal HD Spikers.
With these mixed outings, Ronquillo expressed that joining these leagues revealed the lapses in the team’s game, particularly in in-game situations that they don’t see during training. Joining these leagues also allowed the rookies of the team to gain experience in playing.
But, there is only so much you can prepare for, as one cannot truly prepare for everything, as often the real thing may be unexpected and different. JM acknowledged that even with all their preparations for the UAAP, the season will be filled with ups and downs. But also remarks that the Green Spikers are competitive enough to take these in stride.
In addition, the captain shared that even if their opponents have trained overseas while the Green and White trained within the country, the team does not treat this as a disadvantage.
“Although yung mga opponents namin may training outside the country, kami dito lang sa Philippines, it’s an advantage for them pero, we will not let this advantage talunin kami, kailangan maovercome namin.”
The key to overcoming, according to the veteran, is to ensure that each member of the team is physically and mentally strong. Ensuring this will allow the team to focus on achieving their main goal and expectation: the Championship title.
Season Goals
With a new season, comes new goals and expectations. For this season, aside from attaining the championship title, the Green Spikers will focus on performing their best, both individually and as a team. Another goal is to dominate the league, as Ronquillo revealed that most members of the team came from champion teams back in high school, which they want to feel once again but at the collegiate level. La Salle would also like to beat strong teams such as the National University (NU), UST, and of course rival team, the Ateneo de Manila University (Ateneo).
For the captain, as he is on his last playing year, leaving a legacy on the team is a goal he aims to achieve. The opposite spiker shares, “gusto ko umalis ng La Salle nang champion naman, (and) mag-iwan ng legacy since antagal na nang hindi nakakapasok ulit sa championship sa men’s volleyball.”
Ronquillo adds that in realizing these goals, the Green Spikers will take it one step at a time, and one game at a time.
A Deep Bench
When asked about how the team’s performance will look like this Season 86, the captain declares that the Green Spikers are more focused and hungry for the title. This desire to attain better results compared to last season can be seen in their training alone.
“Based sa mga trainings namin this last few days, parang lahat talaga nagpupush beyond their limits…ineembrace lang namin yung pagod para at the end of the day magkaroon ng bunga yung paghihirap.”
The addition of skilled rookies will also aid La Salle in their campaign this season, as it solidifies a deeper bench where being replaced by another will leave no doubt of their capability as a team.
“Sobrang lalim ng bench namin ngayon, like if may mawala man sa’min na isa, alam mong papalit sa’yo is magstestep-up din.”
Certainly, with a strong familial bond, all the preparations, and a loaded bench, the Green Spikers are more than ready to show the UAAP what they’re made of.
Message to the Lasallian community and supporters
Although there is notably less media coverage for Men’s Volleyball in the UAAP this season, team captain JM Ronquillo wishes the Lasallian community and their supporters to continue to watch their games and provide encouragement.
“Sana magkaroon pa rin kami ng recognition kahit na less media coverage kami ngayong season, pero we’ll try our best to make you guys proud lalo na yung mga real supporters namin — kahit hindi taga La Salle. Hopefully you guys can still watch our games,” the captain concludes.
Support the DLSU Green Spikers as they embark on their Season 86 campaign with their first match against Adamson University (AdU) Falcons on Saturday, February 17, 12 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena (MOA).
Their remaining Round 1 schedule is as follows:
February 21, 10 AM — DLSU vs. FEU
February 25, 11 AM — DLSU vs. UST
March 2, 12 PM — DLSU vs. Ateneo
March 6, 10 AM — DLSU vs. UE
March 10, 12 PM — DLSU vs. UP
March 16, 10 AM — DLSU vs. NU
