A BRAND new energy can be felt in the University of the Philippines, with seasoned tactician Fabio Menta taking over coaching the Women's Volleyball Team (WVT) that had just been injected with talented transferees and a promising foreign student-athlete.
Still with the support of sponsor Frank Lao and his Strong Group Athletics (SGA), the 64-year-old Italian has been officially appointed as the Fighting Maroons' new mentor, and his first UAAP campaign will commence in the Season 88 tournament in mid-February.
"We are excited to see how coach Fabio will bring out the best in this young and very promising roster that we have. Lahat tayo sa UP ay nagtitiwala at naniniwala that the Final Four is very much within our reach," said UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development Director Bo Perasol.
Menta first came to the Philippines in 2016 to call the shots for Foton Pilipinas, the national team-backed iteration of Philippine Superliga side Foton Tornadoes, in the 2016 Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship. His resume includes national and club team stints in Italy, the Bahamas, and the Cook Islands.
Last year, he was tapped to be a consultant for SGA's squads in the Premier Volleyball League in Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee before taking over the coaching post in Diliman.
UP-rising coming?
State U is setting its sights on a return to the Final Four after a 6-8, joint-fifth finish last year coached by Benson Bocboc and led by the likes of Nina Ytang, Kianne Olango, Irah Jaboneta, and Joan Monares. That much-improved run saw triumphs over eventual champion National U and runner-up La Salle.
Now, three-time second-best middle blocker Ytang, Olango, Jaboneta, Monares, and setter Jaz Manguilomotan will be reinforced by Casiey Dongallo, Jelai Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, and Nigerian Ali Sarah Otukugu, as UP tries to end a near-decade playoff drought.
"Coach Fabio is helping the team to be more knowledgeable on the technical side of volleyball. He wants us to focus on the specific and small details to improve our game," said Monares, who will serve as team captain in her last year of eligibility.
"He brings a good system which the team needs. We know what to do inside and outside the court because of that good system," said Jaboneta, also in her final go-round.
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