Jolina dela Cruz named UAAP Player of the Week as La Salle remains immaculate

De La Salle University's driving force Jolina Dela Cruz has been named the Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Player of the Week after being a consistent all-around and go-to attacker for the Lady Spikers.

The veteran hitter provided the boost to La Salle's super rookie Angel Canino as the two players carried the load for the Taft crew in the past week.

In La Salle's win over the Lady Bulldogs last Wednesday, which sealed a first round sweep, the fourth-year spiker tallied 11 points and 10 excellent digs, again exemplifying her support role as Canino topscored with 14.

Dela Cruz then proved her consistency in the immediate rematch to kick off the second round on Saturday, chipping in 12 points with three blocks to go with nine excellent receptions.

For her consistent production matching her proven leadership for the unbeaten Lady Spikers, Dela Cruz earned the weekly honors presented by the San Miguel Corporation and Philippine Sports Commission from March 22 to 25.

Dela Cruz emerged as the unanimous choice ahead of previous winners Canino and Adamson's Trisha Tubu, La Salle's Mars Alba, Ateneo's Faith Nisperos, and FEU's Jov Fernandez.

Dela Cruz is also the first non-rookie this season after a historic stretch from Canino, Tubu, and UST's Josh Ybañez to win the weekly citation, which has MNL Kingpin, Tinapayan Festival, and Jockey as minor sponsors.

It was an emotional stretch overall for a La Salle community already on Cloud Nine following the Lady Spikers' winning streak, culminating with the return of coach Ramil De Jesus, who has not taken the court since the Season 84 finals due to personal reasons.

"'Di po namin ine-expect kasi kanina dumating siya, [pero] hindi po namin alam na magko-coach siya ngayon," Dela Cruz said. "'Nung nasa dugout siya kasama pa namin siya, binibiro-biro niya kami na hindi naman [siya magko-coach], doon lang sa likod.

"Pero pinilit namin siya, 'Weh, mag-coach ka na,' ganyan. Napilit naman namin siya. Thankful kami kay coach Ramil kasi yun nga, nilaban niya yung araw na 'to and para sa kanya din 'yung laban namin."

("We didn't expect it. He showed up but we didn't know if he would coach today. When he was in the dugout with us, there at the back, we were teasing him that he wasn't going to do it.... But we were making him do it, saying 'Go out there and coach' and we were successful. We're thankful to Coach Ramil because he battled today and we dedicate our fight to him as well.")

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News