MANILA, Philippines – The  La Salle Lady Spikers will be heading to the inaugural Shakey’s Super League with some familiar names not in the fold.

Longtime Ramil de Jesus assistant Noel Orcullo will call the shots for the team, as the veteran tactician will be unavailable for the squad due to undisclosed reasons.

“Ako pina-[handle] ni coach Ramil.,” Orcullo told reporters during the league press conference on Saturday, September 17. 

“Expect na iba ang magiging sistema, ‘yung style ng coaching kasi iba yung kay coach Ramil, iba ‘yung sa akin.”

(I was tasked by coach Ramil to handle the team. Everybody should expect a change in coaching style, because mine is different from coach Ramil’s.)

La Salle was the last team to commit to the 18-team league that will feature all UAAP and NCAA women’s volleyball teams for the first time.

Orcullo said La Salle has an intact roster on paper, but explained some players are still hobbled by injuries and other concerns stemming from their recent UAAP campaign, where they bowed to the NU Lady Bulldogs in the championship series.

“Actually hindi kami ready talaga sumali kaya lang yun nga… Parang mapapahiya nga kung kami lang yung hindi sasali,” said Orcullo.

(Actually we weren’t ready to join the league, but it would have been more embarrassing if we’re the only ones who didn’t join.)

Orcullo said it’s likely their “second team” will see more minutes as several core players continue to recuperate.

“[Some] of them are recovering from injuries from the last UAAP season, so expect na hindi talaga kami all out na makakalaro nang inaasahan sa amin,” he said.

(Some of them are recovering from injuries from the last UAAP season, expect that we will not be able to play all out like what’s usually expected of us.)

Angel Canino will also be unable to suit up for the Lady Spikers as she suffered a right ankle injury that forced her to wear a protective boot for some time.

“Canino’s still under recovery since she got injured during training. She just returned and although she already got permission from the doctor and physical therapist, she’ll be recuperating some more,” said Orcullo.

DLSU will be playing their first game against the new-look FEU Lady Tamaraws on Saturday, October 1 at 6 pm, the nightcap of the four-game affair in the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

FEU will be coached by alumna Tina Salak, who replaced George Pascua during the offseason.

“Alam mo medyo kapaan, bago ‘yung sistema ng FEU. Bago coach nila hindi natin alam kung magiging adjustments namin, pero as usual ganun pa rin naman ‘yung sistemang ginagawa namin sa training” said Orcullo.

(We will be unfamiliar because of FEU’s new system. They have a new coach so we wouldn’t know our adjustments yet, but the system used in training will be leaned on as usual.) – Rappler.com