Ramil De Jesus marked his UAAP win No. 300 in dominant fashion.

This, following De La Salle’s season-opening victory over Adamson in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament that helped De Jesus achieve one of the most sensational coaching run in the league.

Although it came as no surprise as De Jesus has been honing some of the best talents in the country in his 27th year at the touchline.

Under De Jesus’ guidance, the school captured all its 12 titles through his one of a kind program.

Along with the brilliant record, though, De Jesus was the first to admit of his struggles dealing with the aftermath of players’ departure to pursue the pro rank early into their collegiate career.

Before it recently became the norm, the practice was usually seeing players exhaust all their given playing eligibility.

“Napahirap ngayon eh. Kasi hindi natin alam kung paano tatagal ‘yung mga players. Kasi ‘yung iba i-ttrain mo today, and tomorrow hindi mo alam kung ano ‘yung nasa isip ng bata lalo ngayon ang daming nawala. Ang hirap ng transition. Hindi mo alam kung hanggang kailan ka sasamahan ng bata sa college,” De Jesus said during his first post-game interview with the media in two years.

According to De Jesus, it’s even more challenging for the Taft-based squad as all watchful eyes are on them being the defending champion this season.

“And then, ‘yung mga commercial team, ina-eye talaga siyempre. Lalo na kami siyempre defending champion, marami ina-eye sa players namin kung sino ‘yung [pwede nilang i-recruit]. Tina-target nila kung sino ‘yung gusto nilang makuha para makatulong doon sa team nila. Napakahirap kasi ‘yung transition mahirap [pati] palitan ‘yung position [katulad] ng middle blocker,” he added.

“Alam naman natin since senior high school na-train natin. Medyo okay na siya pwede na pakawalan, na-polish na natin. By the time na kailangan pakinabangan ng team, nawawala. So ‘yun ang pinakamahirap na part para sa mga coaches. Ang maganda lang may i-ttrain ka na bago at ready punan ‘yung ganu’ng position. ‘Yun ang maganda may mga players na gustong gampanan ‘yung ganu’ng posisyon na nawala sa iyo.”

From losing players to graduation, all UAAP coaches must now face the possibility of their players going all the way to the pro by ending their brief stint in college – along with the mentorship.

This year, the Lady Spikers are defending their crown without key players in reliable setter-libero duo in Mars Alba and Justine Jazareno as well as middle blocker Fifi Sharma and outside hitter Jolina dela Cruz, who all had at least one more playing year left after their Season 85 championship victory.

With reigning rookie-MVP Angelo Canino, De Jesus is expecting the rest of her team to successfully prove their worth to the heavy task ahead.

“Nakikita ko siguro mas kailangan pa nila mag-gel. Maraming nawala lalo na ‘yung setter napakahirap palitan and then ‘yung libero. Kasi kung hindi stable ‘yung pasa ng libero mahirapan ‘yung setter. Last year kasi maayos ‘yung libero namin and ‘yung setter okay rin. ‘Yun siguro kailangan namin mad-adjust ng todo todo. Dapat talaga i-work on namin,” he concluded.