2nd row: Justise Macasaet, Sabine Valdez, Jelleane Laborte, Maia Valdez, Zeianne Laborte, Zofia Limpot, Kylie Celada
by: Tessa Bonafe (DLSZ 2026)
The De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ) High School Girls Volleyball Team emerged as champions of the Gametime Sports U-18 National Invitationals Volleyball League Jun Layson Cup held last June 15, 2025, at the Doctors College Gym, Iloilo City, after an exciting and thrilling four-set victory over Saint John’s Institute in the finals.
The championship match was filled with long rallies, defensive plays, powerful hits, and intense moments. Throughout the game, DLSZ persevered through every obstacle that came their way through their exceptional focus and teamwork. Each player showed discipline and stepped up when it mattered most. Their determination and grit led them to a well-earned victory.
The turning point occurred in the fourth set. DLSZ was one set away from winning the title; however, Saint John’s Institute was in control with a 21–15 lead and was ready to force the match to a deciding set. Even Don Laczi, the photographer and writer who followed the game closely in his article “Through My Lens: The Epic Comeback of La Salle Zobel at Jun Layson Cup 2025,” admitted the match was slowly slipping away. “I think this is over. That was the thought running through my mind as I looked at the scoreboard,” shares Laczi.
However, as he described in his article, it was at that moment that the team’s energy shifted. The DLSZ bench came alive, and the court blazed with a new spark. As Laczi wrote in his article, “Block after block, dig after dig, DLSZ turned frustration into momentum. They were not just playing for points anymore — they were defending destiny.” Point by point, they closed the gap, overtook the lead, and eventually sealed the championship.
Read the full article by Don Laczi here:
Through My Lens: The Epic Comeback of La Salle Zobel at Jun Layson Cup 2025
The team’s success was also supported by remarkable individual efforts. Four (4) players were selected for the Mythical Selection as a result of their outstanding performances and consistent impact throughout the tournament:
- Zofia Limpot (DLSZ 2028) – Best Setter
- Maia Valdez (DLSZ 2028) – Best Middle Blocker
- Tessa Bonafe (DLSZ 2026) – Best Libero
- Jelleane Laborte (DLSZ 2030) – Most Valuable Player
With hearts full of pride and gold medals around their necks, the DLSZ Volleyball Team showed what it means to play as one.
From start to finish, the win was more than just a trophy to bring back home to Manila—it was proof that all the support from their coaches, families, and teammates, along with their hard work and sacrifices, truly mattered.
Team Members:
Aislinn Alemaña (DLSZ 2027)
Sofia Asignacion (DLSZ 2026)
Tessa Bonafe (DLSZ 2026)
Kylie Celada (DLSZ 2029)
Angel Cenizal (DLSZ 2026)
Sof Inandan (DLSZ 2028)
Jelleane Laborte (DLSZ 2030)
Zeianne Laborte (DLSZ 2030)
Zofia Limpot (DLSZ 2028)
Justise Macasaet (DLSZ 2029)
Maia Valdez (DLSZ 2028)
Sabine Valdez (DLSZ 2026)
Animo La Salle!