La Salle legacy lives on as PLDT, Chery Tiggo rejoice reaching PVL peak

The La Salle Girl Spikers rejoice years of dominance within the Philippine volleyball scene as former star gamers like Ara Galang, Kianna Dy, and Mika Reyes conflict in a extremely entertaining, five-set PVL on Tour knockout closing

MANILA, Philippines – As soon as the matchup of the 2025 PVL on Tour knockout closing was set between PLDT and Chery Tiggo, the prevailing storyline turned instantly clear: it was a winner-take-all showcase amongst iconic former gamers of the vaunted La Salle Girl Spikers volleyball program within the UAAP.

On one facet, Chery Tiggo was led by fiery center blocker Aby Maraño and all-around ace Ara Galang, whereas the PLDT core was made up of “Taft Tower” center blockers Mika Reyes and Majoy Baron, star spiker Kianna Dy, and dependable setter Kim Fajardo.

Underneath the acquainted watchful eyes of their legendary coach Ramil de Jesus, the previous Girl Spikers placed on an absolute present on the Mall of Asia Enviornment final Sunday, August 17, as PLDT halted Chery Tiggo’s comeback try and win its first PVL championship.

After the thrilling five-set conflict subsided, the La Salle icons and former F2 Logistics teammates shared a decent and tearful embrace at heart courtroom, all glad for each other whatever the end result.

“Once we noticed coach Ramil earlier, he had a giant smile and he appeared so comfortable and pleased with us,” Maraño stated in Filipino. “I haven’t seen him smile like that in a very long time when he checked out us. That second was so magical for me after we took an image collectively.”

“I’m actually glad. I’m actually glad for [PLDT] that they received. I’m glad for all the pieces we’ve achieved as people though we’re now a part of totally different groups. We’re all nonetheless mates, and I’m actually glad for all of us,” Galang added.

Galang, Reyes, Baron, and Fajardo, particularly, had been spectacular within the knockout closing, with Galang main the shedding trigger with 22 factors, Reyes profitable Finals MVP with 20 factors plus a finals report 7 blocks, Baron scoring 13 with 6 blocks, and Fajardo tossing 25 glorious units.

It was a chock-full throwback present of the La Salle core’s longstanding dominance within the Philippine volleyball scene, a battle-tested group that produced quite a few championships within the collegiate and newbie membership scene.

“I’m tremendous glad and grateful that [La Salle] molded us. You may’t exchange the issues they’ve taught us, not simply in abilities however in all the pieces else: perspective, character, all that,” Fajardo stated in Filipino.

“They’ve been our mentors ever since. The way in which and degree we play is all due to them. We’re capable of carry that perspective [to] the courtroom,” Baron added in Filipino. “To see Coach Ramil be there to help us, it’s such an important feeling on high of being a champion.”

Although their dominant run is slowly approaching an inevitable twilight, this La Salle group’s legacy will all the time be an vital pillar of Philippine volleyball historical past. With out them, the extent of competitors each regionally and internationally is not going to be the place it’s at present.

To cite their college hymn, they’ll all the time maintain that La Salle banner excessive and brilliant. – Rappler.com