When Louie Ramirez entered the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center on Friday to suit up for his beloved University of Perpetual Help System DALTA men's volleyball team, there was an air of confidence for his squad.
The second-year outside hitter has just had a solid outing with the Cignal HD Spikers at the recently concluded 2022 Spikers' Turf Open Conference, and now he is back with his school to help them this time for the 2022 V-League Collegiate Challenge.
For long-time Perpetual head coach Sammy Acaylar, it was a very much welcome boost to its campaign in the returning league and, of course, in its bid to keep the NCAA crown in Las Pinas.
Acaylar shared, "I can't say how crucial, kasi crucial talaga. Kasi, he's my first open spiker. And there are some players kami na hindi nakasama today because they have an injury. That is why naka-focus ako lagi sa kanya. Sabi ko, kailangan laging kondisyon yung sarili niya. Kasi siyempre 90 percent ng bola nasa kanya."
For Ramirez, the stint in the semi-pro league just ignited a spark for him to take it to the next level for his beloved Perpetual side.
"Na-boost yung morale ko after nung games ko sa Cignal. Sabi ko sa sarili ko gusto kong buhatin rin yung team ko ngayon. Yun lang, kasi nga puro bago kami. Tapos gusto ko ring ipakita na yung kayang laruin ng NCAA champion kaya ring tapatang yung mga teams sa UAAP," the current Altas captain said.
And stand toe-to-toe with UAAP teams indeed, as they even sent Far Eastern University down in five thrilling sets in their debut in the V-League. Ramirez paced the Altas with 20 points on 18 attacks and two service aces in the victory.
With Ramirez just getting started, good things are just looking up for him and Perpetual.
