UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas head coach Shaq delos Santos remains unfazed by criticism following the Golden Tigresses’ rocky start to the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament.
The returning UST mentor got quite the rude reception in his first year back in España in over a decade, as the black-and-gold dropped a four-set decision to defending champion National U before absorbing a sweep at the hands of La Salle.
Despite early doubts surrounding his return, delos Santos said he appreciates the Thomasian community’s passion and concern for their team, viewing the scrutiny as part of the program’s high standards.
“Nagpapasalamat pa rin ako du’n sa kung paano nila pahalagahan talaga ‘yung team. Sobrang concerned sila,” he told SPIN.ph.
“Sa’kin, kung ano ‘yung mga nangyayari, sa’min ‘yun. Ako bilang bagong coach, tanggapin ko lang kung ano ‘yung mga nangyayari, kung ano ‘yung sitwasyon.”
Even as some critics pressed the panic button early, with some even amusingly calling for his exit, the veteran tactician stressed that his focus remains on restoring the Golden Tigresses' winning tradition and steering them toward a long-awaited 17th women’s volleyball title.
“Ang main goal ko is paano i-improve ‘yung team kasi ‘yun ‘yung mas importante ngayon. Kung ano naman ‘yung concern ng UST community, i-re-respect ko ‘yun,” he said, looking at their ultimate goal of a first crown in 16 years.
Adj-UST-ment period
UST eventually broke through with a sweep of Ateneo on Wednesday, a victory that delos Santos hopes will serve as a step forward, as his wards continue to adjust to his system.
READ: UST jumps on Ateneo to finally enter win column
While a familiar figure within the program, delos Santos emphasized that rebuilding the Golden Tigresses into contenders is a gradual process, noting that both he and the players are still in a transition period.
“At the end of the day, nasa transition din talaga kami dahil may adjustment pa rin, adjustment ko sa team, adjustment din ng team sa’kin,” he said.
“Naniniwala naman ako sa buong team, sa coaching staff kung ano ‘yung magiging program namin or system namin. Mas maniwala lang kami at hindi kami titigil.”
Delos Santos added that the sting of their early losses has fueled the team’s drive to improve moving forward.
As he put it, “Mas ma-inspired kami du’n sa first two games namin, kung gaano kasakit ‘yun para sa amin, gaano ‘yung challenge na natanggap namin. Gagawin namin siyang inspirasyon para i-turn around namin kung ano ‘yung dapat na mas maging aksyon namin sa susunod.”
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