ARNOLD Laniog has been tapped to take charge of the De La Salle Green Spikers in the UAAP Season 81 volleyball tournament.
Laniog takes over from Norman Miguel, who is reportedly set to be named coach of the National University women’s volleyball team.
A proven winner in the NCAA with College of St. Benilde, Laniog faces a tough challenge in the UAAP with a rookie-laden La Salle squad and he admitted he and his staff needed some time to decide.
“The first time namin mag-usap ng sports director ng DLSU, hindi pa ako nakasagot sa offer niya. Mga one week pa after ako and my assistant coaches nagdecide na kunin namin 'yung position as the new coaching staff ng DLSU MVT. Para na din sa new challenge sa career namin,” he added.
Laniog’s Blazers have made the NCAA Final Four three straight times Season 90, claiming the title in Season 92, and are running second in Season 94 with a 4-1 win-loss record.
La Salle had a 5-9 record last season and Laniog faces a tough task of turning a rookie-laden Green Spikers team, now without Raymark Woo, Arjay Onia, Mike Frey and Jopet Movido, into contenders.
“Malaking challenge talaga kasi UAAP na ito. Lahat ng kasali na team is very competitive, especially considering na maraming nagraduate sa team from last season,” said Laniog, also a veteran coach in club competiton.
Laniog has two months to prepare the young squad led by Wayne Marco, Geraint Bacon and Kiefer Reyes for Season 81.
“Now half of the team ay rookies. But since this is our first season with the team and we were just given two months before UAAP, as their new coaches, we will try our very best to push the team to their best potential,” Laniog said. “No matter what happens, we will just keep on working hard to improve and develop the team's skills and chemistry.”
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