De Jesus wants his La Salle squad to take his lessons to heart both on and off the court.
La Salle's emphatic opening game win in UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball meant so much more than just starting its title defense on a solid note.
It also marked Ramil De Jesus' 300th victory as the Lady Spikers' chief tactician.
After his charges' 25-16, 25-16, 25-18 dumping of Adamson at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday, De Jesus shared that he wants to give the Lady Spikers something more than just the Ws.
"Hindi ko naman nabibilang 'yun pero in 27 years sa La Salle, siguro umabot na nga doon. So, happy kasi umaabot ng ganoong karaming panalong hindi ko naman inisip na darating sa ganoon," De Jesus.
"Para sa akin, mabigyan ng magandang kundisyon, performance 'yung mga bata ay sapat na 'yun."
De Jesus has become a legend with the green-and-white, delivering 12 championship titles and seven runner-up finishes in the UAAP.
But more than that, the decorated mentor is hoping that fans can remember the Lady Spikers for the discipline he instilled in them which manifests even in the smallest details, like how they carry their jerseys. This is part of how he cared for them.
"Ang gusto ko lang maalala ng mga tao [sa Lady Spikers] is smart tapos 'yung pananamit, maayos talaga sa mga uniform," said De Jesus, who usually checks the squad's jerseys before the season begins.
"Mabusisi ako sa mga ganoon, eh. Kaya 'yun lang siguro [ang] isang trademark ng La Salle na 'pag sinabing La Salle, disiplinado ito, galing ito sa pangangalaga ni coach Ramil," he added.
Like the father figure he has become for many of his past and present wards, De Jesus is hoping that the lessons he imparted will remain with them both inside and outside the court.
"Lagi ko namang ipinaaalala sa kanilang hindi lang sa loob ng court 'yung ginagawang alalay sa inyo o 'yung pagbabantay sa inyo. Hanggang sa dumating 'yung time na wala na kayo sa volleyball, pakikinabangan ninyo 'yung advice namin," said De Jesus.
DLSU will look to add to De Jesus' victory haul as it takes on Far Eastern U on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at 2:00 p.m.