For CJ Segui, volleyball was never just a sport—it was his calling. A key player in the University of Santo Tomas' historic UAAP High School Boys’ Volleyball championship run, he seemed destined for greatness. But as quickly as his career took off, off-court challenges halted his momentum, forcing him to take an unexpected detour.
Segui was once the crown jewel of UST’s Tiger Cubs, alongside standouts GBoy de Vega and Jaron Requinton. Their trio led the squad to its breakthrough title in UAAP Season 80, marking a historic feat for the program. His contributions extended beyond that championship run, helping UST secure consecutive Final Four appearances in Seasons 81 and 82.
However, the 5-foot-11 outside hitter struggled to balance the demands of being a student-athlete, leading to his abrupt departure from the team.
“Galing ako sa UST High School, kaso nagkaroon ako ng problem sa academics,” Segui admitted.
His dreams seemed to be slipping away—until Mapúa High School and VNS head coach Ralph Ocampo came knocking, offering him a second chance to get his career back on track.
Ocampo saw potential where others saw setbacks, reaching out to Segui shortly after he left UST. For the young spiker, the decision was easy. Beyond volleyball, he had another goal in mind—finishing his studies.
“Yun na ‘yun, nag-chat sa’kin si coach Ralph na may binubuo siyang high school team sa Mapúa, sabi ko go ako coach para sa scholarship kasi gusto ko na rin talaga matapos ng high school,” he recalled.
Under Ocampo’s guidance, Segui found his footing once more. The veteran coach not only welcomed him with open arms but also became the mentor he needed to rebuild his career.
“Sobrang thankful ako kasi alam niya ‘yung naging kwento ko nung bago ako mapunta ng Mapúa,” Segui shared. “Ayun, tinanggap niya ako ng buo and nag-commit din talaga ako sa kanya and binigay ko ‘yung sarili ko para matutukan ako ni coach Ralph. Binigay niya sa akin ‘tong opportunity na ‘to para ma-showcase ko ‘yung talent ko.”
Segui wasted no time proving he still had what it takes. Suiting up for Mapúa High School, he led the third-seeded Malayan Junior Spikers to the NCAA Season 99 championship. His dominance on the court earned him the Finals MVP title and the Second Best Outside Hitter award—a testament to his resilience and skill.
But just as he was regaining momentum, another hurdle came his way. With his age rendering him ineligible for NCAA Season 100, Segui found himself unable to defend Mapúa’s crown.
Ocampo, however, was not about to let his ward’s progress stall again. Seeing a bigger picture, he enlisted Segui with the VNS Griffins for the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, ensuring his talent remained visible to college recruiters.
“Sobrang laking tulong sa akin kasi nasho-showcase ko kung ano ‘yung kakayahan ko. Talagang napapakita ko kung hanggang saan ‘yung limit ko,” said Segui, now in his second conference with VNS. “Personal goal, gusto ko talagang makakuha ng offers, may lalapit na teams. ‘Yun din naman ‘yung goal ni coach Ralph para sa akin, pataasin ‘yung (stock) ko para sa college.”
Against top-tier competition, Segui made an immediate impact. In last year’s Invitational Conference, he finished as the league’s fourth-best scorer, trailing only some of the most seasoned names in the sport—reigning MVP Jude Garcia (Criss Cross), Dryx Saavedra (FEU), and Joeven Dela Vega (PGJC-Navy).
But his most striking performance yet came on Sunday night, when he put on a masterclass against the formidable PGJC-Navy squad. With VNS down two sets early, Segui and fellow rising star RK Medino spearheaded a spirited comeback, dragging the match into a thrilling fifth set.
Segui delivered when it mattered most, erupting for six points in a blistering 7-0 run that gave the Griffins a 12-10 edge. VNS was on the brink of a stunning upset—but Navy’s experience proved to be the difference, escaping with a hard-fought 25-20, 25-22, 20-25, 17-25, 17-15 victory.
Despite the loss, Segui’s efforts did not go unnoticed. He finished with a career-high 26 points, along with 16 excellent receptions—his best performance yet in a Griffins jersey.
“May mga kumakausap sa akin na schools. Undecided pa sa ngayon kasi gusto ko muna tapusin ‘yung high school bago ako mag-move forward. Saka naka-focus ako ngayon sa Spikers’ Turf talaga. Incoming first year college.”
For now, Segui remains locked in on his current journey, embracing every opportunity to prove himself.
