MANILA – Ahead of next year’s war in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers added another load in its arsenal by securing the services of Filipina-American volleybelle Jade Fuentes.
The Los Angeles-based 5-foot-11 outside hitter swore her allegiance to the Lady Spikers on Tuesday, as posted on Eagle Rock High School’s social media accounts.
Fuentes was one of the highly recruited players going college but chose to don the green and white jersey of DLSU.
“I chose this school because I really love the atmosphere and everything about it [and] the competition as well,” said Fuentes on her Youtube channel. “It’s one of the top schools in the Philippines, and the amount of energy and support that the fans have is just so incredible.”
She added: “I can’t wait to be playing at the next level, to go outside of my comfort zone and to be part of this team.”
The Fil-Am was hailed as Most Valuable Player in the California Interscholastic Federation L.A. City Section Open Division for leading Eagle Rock High School to its first upper division volleyball championship last November.
Fuentes, 17, will team up with Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz, Baby Jane Soreno, Jolina Dela Cruz, Justine Jazareno, and Bacolodnon setter Michelle Cobb.
Ilongga middle blocker Aduke Ogunsanya, Ernestine Tiamzon and libero CJ Saga, on the other hand, might still get a chance to play for DLSU one more year. UAAP has a pending decision for senior players whose final playing years were halted by the cancellation of Season 82 due to the coronavirus disease outbreak in the country./PN
