Fab five (Ateneo)
_with_her_ateneo_lady_eagles_teammate.jpg)
The Ateneo de Manila University collegiate women's varsity volleyball team has been recruiting groups of five players from time to time over the years. The 2008 batch is referred to as the Fabulous Five or Fab 5 by the Ateneo community and fans. The 2010 and 2013 batches were all members of the Ateneo team that made history by winning Ateneo's first volleyball championship in the UAAP women's volleyball senior division in season 76 (2013–14). [1]
In the UAAP Season 77 (2014–15), the Lady Eagles won their second straight title by sweeping all the games for a perfect season (16 wins – 0 losses). [2]
Class 2008
Fille Saint Merced Cainglet
Fille Cainglet plays the position of Open Hitter in volleyball. While playing in the UAAP, a collegiate varsity league she was voted as one of most improved volleyball player in the tournament. Her elevation and her aggressiveness attracted so many fans. Her amazing spikes and digs helped her team, the Ateneo Lady Blue Eagles reach the Finals of UAAP Season 74 (2011) and UAAP Season 75 (2012). She is currently playing for Petron Blaze Spikers, a semi-pro volleyball club team in the Philippines.
Jamenea Ferrer
Jem Ferrer plays the position of Setter in volleyball and is recognized as one of the best in that position in Philippine volleyball. She received 5 best setter awards while playing in high school and college. Though small in height, this did not prevent her from excelling in playing the setter position. She was a member of the Ateneo Lady Blue Eagles volleyball team that reached the Finals back-to-back in the UAAP Season 74 (2011) and UAAP Season 75 (2012). After graduating from college Jem continued to play in a club volleyball league. She is currently a member of the PLDT Home Telpad Turbo Boosters, a semi-pro volleyball club team in the Philippines.
Angeline Marie Gervacio
Dzi Gervacio is a former Ateneo Lady Eagles standout volleyball player, known for her jump serves. She plays the opposite hitter position. Because of her strong attacks and jump serves, she helped the Lady Blue Eagles to two finals appearances in the UAAP Season 74 and UAAP Season 75. She is currently playing in Foton Tornadoes.
Gretchen Ho
Ho is a former Lady Eagle standout, known for her beauty that the fans like to cheer her and she plays Middle Hitter. Because of her quick attacks, she gave the Lady Blue Eagles a finals appearance in the UAAP Season 74 and UAAP Season 75 where they failed to capture the title. She is currently playing and was team captain of Petron Blaze Spikers.
Ailysse Nacachi
A is a former Lady Eagle standout. A is known for her aggressiveness at the net. She might be underrated but not undervalued.
Class 2010
Alyssa Valdez
Valdez is arguably the most powerful volleyball spiker in the Philippines. She was named the Phenom of volleyball in the Philippines. Valdez received many MVP awards because of her playing skills. She led the Ateneo Lady Blue Spikers to their first and second championship in the UAAP. She led the PLDT Home Telpad Turbo Boosters to their first championship in the Shakey's V-League. She is the first woman who received 4 awards in one season in the UAAP. She scored more than 30 points in one game.
Jorella Marie de Jesus
Ella is the one of the smallest players and one of the smallest spikers in the country but her elevation is high. She can play multiple positions like Open Hitter/Opposite/Libero. She is part of the Ateneo's back to back titles. She was also part of the U-23 lineup with team captain Alyssa Valdez, Jia Morado and Bea De Leon.
Dennise Michelle Lazaro
Denden is one of the Best Liberos in the Philippines. She received multiple Best Receiver and Best Digger Awards. She is part of the Ateneo's back to back titles.
Rongomaipapa Amy Ahomiro
Amy is the lefty Middle Hitter and one of the Best Middle Blockers in the Philippines. She is part of the Ateneo's back to back titles. And she became the UAAP season 77 finals MVP
Bea Tan
Bea is one of the player who has versatile position. She was part of the Ateneo's first championship. She is currently playing for Foton Tornadoes.
Class 2013
Julia Melissa Morado
Jia Morado replaced Jem Ferrer as main setter for the Lady Blue Eagles in season 76 (2013-14). Jia was instrumental in Ateneo's first and second UAAP volleyball championships. She bagged the Best Setter Award last season 77 of the UAAP Women's Volleyball tournament. She was also part of the U-23 and SEA games line-up and was the main and only setter of the team.
Michelle Kathereen Morente
Mich Morente played the role of spark plug of the Ateneo Lady Eagles in seasons 76 (2013-14) and 77 (2014-15). Mich replaced Dzi Gervacio in the position of opposite hitter. She was part of Ateneo's back to back titles. In season 78 (2015-16), she was dropped from the team roster so she can concentrate on her academics.
Kassarandra Miren Gequillana
Kim Gequillana is known to be a very productive player for the Lady Eagles. She is part of the Ateneo's back to back titles.
Ana Laureen Gopico
Ana Gopico was part of Ateneo's first ever UAAP volleyball championship. Ana is a Middle Hitter/Blocker and was a highly recruited player from Colegio de San Agustin in high school. She played for the National Capital Region volleyball team in the 2013 Palarong Pambansa where she won the MVP award. She is currently out of the Ateneo varsity volleyball team due to an ACL injury on her left knee which she acquired during Season 76 (2013-14) and another recent (2015) ACL injury on her right knee.
Jamie Isabelle Lavitoria
Jamie Lavitoria was part of the Ateneo's back to back championship. Formerly a setter during her high school years in California, USA, she was recruited by Ateneo to be part of the team. She is currently playing right now as a Libero/Setter.
Class 2014
Isabel Beatriz De Leon
Bea de Leon is now one of the best Middle Blockers in Philippine women's volleyball. Bea was part of the Ateneo's second UAAP volleyball championship. She was also a member of the 2015 Philippine national U-23 team along with three other Ateneo Lady Eagles.
Frances Karen Derder
Karen Derder was a recruit from one of the schools (Southwestern University) in Cebu and played in one preseason tournament (Shakey's V-League) for Ateneo before deciding to return to Cebu after the end of the first semester of academic year 2014-15.
Therese Marie Marguerette Gaston
Therese Gaston was a member of the Ateneo women's varsity volleyball team that won Ateneo's second women's volleyball championship in UAAP season 77 (2014-15). Therese was recruited from the Junior Golden Tigresses, the high school girls' varsity volleyball team of the University of Santo Tomas.
Madeleine Yrenea Madayag
Maddie Madayag is known for her aggressiveness at the net. She was a member of the Ateneo women's varsity volleyball team that won the team's second women's volleyball championship in UAAP season 77 (2014-15).
Katrina Mae Tolentino
Kat Tolentino is a recruit from Canada. Kat is a Fil-Canadian from Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. After undergoing a one-year residency, she was eligible to play and was listed in the roster of the Ateneo Lady Eagles in 2015. The team joined the Shakey's V-League, a preseason volleyball tournament held during summer. Unfortunately, her playing career was again put on hold when her right knee suffered an ACL injury while doing warm-ups before the team's first game.