UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas became the first team to use the first names or nicknames of their players on the back of the jerseys not only in the 2018 Philippine Superliga Collegiate Grand Slam but in any major volleyball league in the country.
UST Head Coach Kung Fu Reyes shared that it’s a way for his players — composed of 11 rookies with three veterans — to improve their familiarity and have a more comfortable when playing feeling inside the court.
“First name para call me by name ganun lang,” beamed Reyes after their 25-12, 25-13, 25-10 victory over Colegio San Agustin-Biñan on Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. “Para mas komportable hindi naman siya pormal na pormal kumbaga sa ano organic lang siya, kumbaga natural.”
The UST coach added that it was a mutual agreement within the team to put their first names on the back of their jerseys because sometimes calling a player by her surname might add pressure.
“Para mas magaan yung transition ng pagkakakilanlan so from the very basic. Pag tinawag ka niya sa nickname ibig sabihin, ‘Uy close ko ‘to,’” he said. “Pag minsan kapag galit ka na ‘Reyes’ mga ganun.”
And for Reyes, it’s also a fun way to introduce his wards to Philippine volleyball by their nicknames.
“Dito at least yung mga pangalan nila narerecognize din kumbaga kung paano sila nagdalaga from bata,” he said. ”They used to be called by their nicknames so magiging mas comfortable yung mga players.”
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