After one year with UST, Junior Golden Tigresses setter Maile Salang, who was part of Alas Pilipinas Girls’ recent Princess Cup run, is transferring to De La Salle University, her father confirmed to the Varsitarian.
In UAAP Season 86, the 5-foot-7 setter helped UST win its first podium finish since 2019, earning Player of the Game honors twice.
Salang, an incoming Grade 12 student, is set to develop into a key addition to De La Salle University’s senior team known for its need for height.
Salang first caught the attention of UST’s coaching staff in 2022, prompting coaches Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes and Yani Fernandez, along with former Golden Tigresses Eya Laure and Imee Hernandez, to travel to Cebu to secure her commitment.
After facing tough competition from other UAAP schools eager to recruit Salang, she eventually committed to the Junior Golden Tigresses in January 2023 during the team’s training camp in Baguio.
During her Alas Pilipinas stint, she played alongside her fellow Junior Golden Tigresses Chasliey Pepito, Avril Bron, Kimberly Rubin, Jaila Adrao, Aneeza Santos and Lianne Penuliar.
Salang’s departure will open minutes for UST’s 6-foot setter Aneeza Santos, daughter of former UST Growling Tigers assistant coach Rodney Santos.
