De La Salle University head coach Ramil de Jesus. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — De La Salle University absorbed a stunning three-set defeat against National University as to open the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.

The Lady Spikers were dealt with a rare season-opening defeat by the defending champions, with Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Lams Lamina taking charge for the Lady Bulldogs who were led by returning UAAP mentor Sherwin Meneses.

READ: National U makes a statement sweep of La Salle to start title-retention campaign

“Actually, sabi ko sa mga bata: ‘First time ko matalo [ulit] sa opening game sa 28 years ko sa UAAP,’” La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus said before exiting the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.

This was the first La Salle loss in their season debut since they were tripped by University of Santo Tomas in five sets in Season 75, but de Jesus is cutting his women some slack.

“Sabi ko, sa batch niyo pa nangyari. Medyo masakit pero, siyempre, kailangan din na intindihin din yung side ng mga bata. Mahirap yun,” the multi-titled mentor continued.

Coach Ramil understands that hefty expectations might have played a huge factor in the way they performed against the Lady Bulldogs, with DLSU only putting up 32 attack points in their total 120 attempts despite having impressive firepower on their lineup.

“Actually, lagi namang mataas yung expectations sa La Salle palagi. May Shevana Laput, may Angel Canino, so mataas na expectations,” he said. “Pero, siyempre, yung tibay naman ng team wala doon sa spiker eh, nasa setters.”

Following the move of Julia Coronel to the professional ranks, the spotlight is now on present La Salle setters Jules Tolentino, Ela Raagas, and Mikole Reyes.

However, La Salle's playmakers only converted 10 of their total 104 attempts, five of which came from the 42 that Tolentino tossed, and this is a concern that Coach RDJ wants them to quickly improve on.

“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, yung first game naiintindihan ko pero yung mga susunod na games hindi na first game yun,” said de Jesus. “Dapat stable na. Hopefully, sa next game stable na yung setter namin.”

“Sila yung driver kasi ng team, so medyo shaky yung team [pag shaky sila]. Kaya dapat lang talaga bigyan mo ng mahabang oras yung setters,” he continued.

For De Jesus, this defeat was an eye-opener for La Salle, and it is now up for the Taft-based hitters to will themselves into form before their shortcomings bite them back.

“Actually, eh, siguro wake-up call ‘to sa kanila,” he said. “Sabi ko sa mga bata, ang totoong laban, pag umabot ka na ng Finals, hindi dito sa eliminations. Ang importante lang eh, i-gapang natin na makapasok doon sa Top 2 or Top 4, and then, doon siguro, unti-unti nang nagkaka-kumpyansa yung mga bata pag umabot na sa ganung point.”

“Sabi ko sa kanila, wala namang natatalo sa games. Alam mong natalo ka, pero dapat basta alam mong natuto ka. Yung yung importante, pero ’pag natalo ka, kaso lang wala kang natutunan, talagang talo ka,” he added.