Why Did the La Salle Coaches Watch the PVL Finals?
The La Salle coaches watched the PVL finals because pride was more than present in the MOA arena. Coaches Ramil De Jesus, Noel Orcullo, and Gian De Jesus came not as neutral spectators but as mentors tracing the arc of players who once wore green and white.
Although in that moment, these players were on the opposite side of the court during the finals game of the PLDT High Speed Hitters versus Chery Tiggo Crossovers. The sight of former Lady Spikers trading blows on the pro court made one truth clear: the coaches’ presence was intentional, emotional, and a living tally of program success.
Seeing the Past in the Present
When the ball flew, the past flashed in the stands. Coach Gian De Jesus said plainly, “Nakakaproud. Yun yung pakiramdam..”
“Kasi malayo na narating nila pero kung iisipin, nakakaproud na lahat sila galing sa program ni Coach RDJ.”
Those words folded the stadium’s noise into a quieter measure of achievement.
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Coach Noel Orcullo confirmed that attendance was not spontaneous: “Yes, pinlano na talaga namin panuorin sila.” Their seats were less about casual viewing and more about witnessing the payoff of years spent on drills, systems, and tough-love corrections. Twice over in interviews, the point landed — the La Salle coaches watched the PVL finals to honor a lineage of players and coaching labor.
Pride, Surprise, and Recognition on Both Sides
Even surprise blended with pride. ALL-STAR asked if they expected former teammates to one day face off across the net, Coach Gian De Jesus admitted, “Never ko inexpect na magkakalaban sila pagdating ng panahon.” Yet that surprise carried admiration: “Kahit na magkakalaban sila, grabe padin ang pagka-fighters, talagang binibigay nila lahat…”
“Grabe na growth nila ngayon pero when you look closely, may galaw padin sila na parang Lady Spikers padin noon.”
The coaches watched not just to cheer a name on a jersey but to trace familiar movements that still echoed La Salle training. The crowd saw fans; the coaches saw their imprint.
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As PLDT and Chery Tiggo battled for the crown, the coaches sat, nodded, and remembered drills that became professional plays; their presence turned one final into a subtle reunion of past lessons and present excellence, proving that mentorship follows the players into every arena.
