De Leon is fresh off a championship run with the NU Lady Bullpups.
Coach Vilet Ponce De Leon is no stranger to many volleyball players in the country.
At one point, these players may have been coached by De Leon herself. After all, she has mentored several girls’ volleyball teams, even professional teams.
One of the schools she has coached is the Immaculate Conception Academy. That’s where De Leon coached Gretchen Ho, who was one of Philippine volleyball’s biggest stars before she decided to focus on her work in media.
Recently, Ho and De Leon had a chance encounter, and Ho couldn't help but recall some of the lessons she learned from De Leon back when she was playing in ICA.
“She never failed to teach us again and again, through words and example, what dedication & commitment to a team looked like. Nobody left behind,” said Ho via a Facebook post.
The former Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles ace and member of the popular Fab Five also detailed how De Leon fought to ensure that ICA volleyball players would be able to join more leagues.
“I will never forget how you fought for us back then so we could have more games & more exposure. The ICA nuns only allowed us three leagues a year, but you risked yourself to enter us into more leagues, so we could develop our skill,” said Ho. “The nuns found out eventually and you had to resign, but I would not have gotten into Ateneo volleyball if it were not for those risks you took, and those decisions you made.”
De Leon’s mark in Philippine volleyball has been evident.
She led the Foton Tornadoes to a Philippine Super Liga title in 2016. After that, De Leon handled the Marinerang Pilipinas Lady Skippers.
Recently, De Leon led the National University Nazareth School as the Lady Bullpups retained the UAAP high school girls’ volleyball crown.
But aside from the titles she has won, it’s the lessons that she has left with her players that has truly made a difference.