MANILA, Philippines – From reserve to Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Finals. This was Kim Kianna Dy's journey in De La Salle University's campaign in the UAAP Season 78 women's volleyball tournament.

Dy, a former MVP in the high school tournament, rarely played in the first round of the tournament, as Coach Ramil de Jesus opted to give more playing time to veteran Carol Cerveza instead. She was finally given her time to shine in La Salle's three-set demolition of Ateneo de Manila University in the first round, and since then, she has made the most of every opportunity.

Throughout the second round of the tournament, Dy showed her remarkable all-around game as she not only provided scoring but also net defense for La Salle. And in the Finals against the Lady Eagles, Dy proved to be La Salle's most reliable scoring option, powering hits through the Ateneo net defense even when their other veterans – including Ara Galang and Cyd Demecillo – were struggling.

She capped her breakout season with a 17-point performance in their Game 3 victory, and was named Finals MVP to the delight of her teammates.

(READ: Lady Spikers complete 3-year journey with title No. 9)

''I think this is just a bonus," Dy said after she was given her trophy. "If there were 14 of this, everyone should have it because this is a team effort."

Dy credited her improvement throughout the season to De Jesus, saying: "Hindi siya nag-stop, hindi siya nagsawa na magturo sa akin."

De Jesus, for his part, said Dy's Finals MVP trophy was "well deserved."

Dy also drew praise from her veteran teammates, with setter Kim Fajardo saying she placed great trust in the third-year player.

"Sobrang laki ng potential niya, sobrang taas ng potential siya," Fajardo said of Dy. "Marami siyang papahirapan."

With Galang, Demecillo, Cerveza and Mika Reyes all leaving La Salle at the end of the season, Dy will now be the Lady Spikers' top option next year and Fajardo is confident that she is up to the task.

"Sinabihan namin siya na kaya niya ng buhatin ang team, kasi alam namin ang character niya," she said. "Alam namin na may natutunan din siya sa amin, at pwede niya 'yung gamitin and i-apply next year."

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