RETURNING for an encore as the University of the Philippines shot-caller is Benson Bocboc, who will be tasked to oversee a rebuild without longtime pillars Irah Jaboneta, Joan Monares, and Nina Ytang.
Bocboc was head coach of the Fighting Maroons' promising 6-8, joint-fifth showing in UAAP Season 87 before ceding the post to Italian mentor Fabio Menta the following year.
READ: UP in search of sixth head coach since 2018 with Menta retirement
With Menta now retired, Bocboc comes back to steady the ship sans Jaboneta and Monares, now in the PVL, and Ytang, now with Alas Pilipinas, while key spiker Casiey Dongallo also continues to recover from an ACL injury.
"Coach Boc proved himself to be a capable coach when he set us up for success in Season 87. Tiwala tayong magagawa niya ulit ang ganun now we're entering a new era," said UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development Director Bo Perasol.
Despite all the turnover, Bocboc will still have the backing of sponsor Frank Lao and his Strong Group Athletics (SGA) in Season 89, alongside more motivated players in Kianne Olango, Jelai Gajero, Bienne Bansil, Jaz Manguilomotan, and Julia De Leon.
"No expectations, no pressure muna ulit tayo. Basta rito naman sa UP, ang panigurado, lalaban," said Bocboc.
The comebacking coach is already hard at work in preparing State U for the upcoming 2026 Shakey's Super League Pre-season Unity Cup.
Bocboc is concurrently an assistant coach for Farm Fresh in the PVL. He was on the La Salle coaching staff from 2016 to 2024, as well as the F2 Logistics bench in the same timeframe.
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