MANILA, Philippines – De La Salle University setter Kim Fajardo will return to play in her final season of eligibility for the Lady Spikers, ending months of speculation as to her status for UAAP Season 79.

The two-time Best Setter confirmed the news to ABS-CBN News on Tuesday.

"Lalaro ako. I love them so much to leave," Fajardo said of her younger teammates.

"Hirap pa ko iwan sila knowing na may oras pa ko para makasama yung team," she added.

Fajardo was an integral player in La Salle's run to the championship in the UAAP Season 78 women's volleyball tournament, where they defeated archrival Ateneo de Manila University in an emotional Finals series that went the full route.

• READ: 9 reasons why we wouldn’t let Kim Fajardo leave the UAAP

She had an option not to return for her final season, but could not pass up the opportunity to help the Lady Spikers win back-to-back championships.

Fajardo's return is a big boost to a La Salle team that lost core members of last season's title team, including former MVP Ara Galang, Mika Reyes, and Cyd Demecillo.

La Salle will still have Season 78 Finals MVP Kianna Dy, reigning Best Blocker Majoy Baron, and reigning Best Digger and Best Receiver Dawn Macandili, but Fajardo's return makes the Lady Spikers the odds-on favorite to win the title in the UAAP Season 79 women's volleyball tournament.

After helping La Salle win the Season 78 crown, Fajardo further established herself as one of the best, if not the best setter in the Philippines, with stints in the Philippine Superliga and the FIVB Women's Club World Championships.

Aside from her tremendous playmaking, she will provide a scoring boost and veteran leadership to the Lady Spikers in their title defense.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)