AFTER falling to the bottom two last season, the University of the Philippines women’s volleyball team comes from a place of humility entering UAAP Season 86.
With collegiate champion coach Oliver Almadro at the wheel, and after an off-season overhaul where he was named UP’s program director and concurrent head coach, the team admits it’s in the process of rebuilding.
UP rebuilding: Slowly but surely
“It’s a long process, but coach Bo Perasol told me they want it slowly but surely,” Almadro said during the UP second sem pep rally. “It’s going to be a big challenge, but like our battle cry, there’s nowhere to go but up.”
The Fighting Maroons are set to play their season opener on Sunday, February 18, against Far Eastern University.
In last year’s tournament, UPWVT won only one game - against the University of the East - in 14 matches.
Now, they’re aiming to change that narrative as Almadro brings in a new culture.
“I tell the girls, every year, they have a different story, and we have to change the story. And to be able to do that, we have to change the culture,” Almadro explained. “It will be starting all over again. And to change the culture, you have to change the daily habits.”
In addition, Almadro said that the team engages in off-court activities to deepen the relationships as he applies his rigorous, authoritarian coaching style on the court.
“We have to be consistent. Andyan pa rin ‘yung pagiging strict and enforcing ko but I know they’re up for the challenge. The management allowed us to join pre-season tournaments and training camps, first time nila,” he said.
Almadro continued: “Bukod dun, buong team mahilig magkantahan, the girls, kalog, baliw-baliwan, ayun unti-unting nabuo.”
Performance-based mindset
While the goal is to surpass what they’ve done last season, Almadro said he also instilled a mindset that’s performance-based rather than results-based.
“Ang lagi kong sinasabi, they have to fight for each other and look out for each other no matter what. That’s in every game.”
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