NATIONAL U may be back in a familiar position being the defending champions, but new coach DA Olan does not feel at ease one bit.
After all, the longtime deputy acknowledged that this UAAP Season 88 might just be “the toughest season” for the Lady Bulldogs.
“I’ve been with the program for 13 years and tingin ko, pinakamahirap itong parating na season,” said Olan, who came to Jhocson back in 2012 with Pat Aquino.
His reservations are fairly understandable, as it hasn’t been the easiest offseason in Jhocson.
From Camille Clarin suffering an ACL injury that ruled her out from playing her potential fifth year to the graduations of Maymay Canuto and Pringle Fabruada and from the departure of Gambian center Jainaba Konateh to the sudden passing of incoming rookie Ashlyn Abong last June, the build-up hasn’t really been the most optimal for the Lady Bulldogs.
Heck, even Olan was only given a month and a half from the opening of the new season before he was installed to the head coaching post.
But from those adversities, he is hopeful that his girls will find a way to blossom once again.
“Di ko naman iniisip na underdog kami. Pero alam naming hindi ito magiging madali,” said Olan.
“I always tell the players na it’s gonna be tough to defend the crown. We’re still capable, but nasa amin na yun kung gugustuhin namin. Lahat nag-improve at nag-retool ng teams nila, but I still think we still have a chance.”
If it ain't broke, don't fix it
For one, Olan isn’t making much changes, as he inherits this roster from Aris Dimaunahan.
“I consider din si coach Aris as my mentor, so masasabi natin na sa kanya galing yung knowledge ko on the game. In terms of principles and concepts, pareho lang din kami kasi sa kanya ko talaga nakuha,” he said.
“I don’t think na kahit sino ang pumasok sa team na tama na magsiksik sila ng bagong sistema. On my part, it’s probably gonna be the same na may minor tweaks lang.”
And that choice not to rock the boat much will be crucial for NU, as it seeks to give graduating forward Angel Surada a big send-off.
Silent but deadly, the 5-foot-9 banger has been one of the catalysts for the Lady Bulldogs’ redemption tour last year, earning her way to a Mythical Team selection.
The fact that Surada did it without being the first option on offense only makes Olan upbeat on what more the Gilas Pilipinas Women stalwart can do in her final year.
“Hindi siya yung leader na very vocal, pero yung leadership niya is through actions. She does things through hardwork and hustle, so we’re just hopeful to give her more opportunities to score and really lead the team,” said the shot-caller.
This year also presents a golden opportunity for fourth-year players like Kristine Cayabyab, Karl Ann Pingol, Aloha Betanio, and Bonie Marylene Solis, and even reigning Finals MVP Cielo Pagdulagan to show their leadership and take a bigger chunk of responsibility.
As Olan puts it: “Hindi pwede na isa lang, hindi pwede na si Angel lang.”
The women’s basketball championship might have reverted to what-has-been its modern colors of blue and gold, but Olan stressed that the mentality of being the hunters should remain the same.
“Last year, kailangan ma-reclaim eh, so patay kung patay sa laro. Yun lang naman ang worry ko na baka maging kampante, but we always tell them it has to be the same if not more. Yung gutom, dapat nandoon pa rin,” he expressed.
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