WHEN the seismic coaching shakeup in España was announced, returning University of Santo Tomas senior Detdet Pepito already knew the transition wouldn’t be a cakewalk.
Shaq delos Santos, the Golden Tigresses’ last women’s volleyball champion coach 16 years ago, took over the team from Kungfu Reyes after the latter’s decade-long run.
Delos Santos had served as Reyes’ deputy over the past two years, but Pepito and the rest of her teammates still had to adjust to a reset in leadership for a relatively young squad.
As one of the remaining senior figures, Pepito understood the challenge of adapting to delos Santos’ meticulous and hard-hitting coaching style.
One round later, after experiencing early struggles and then rediscovering their rhythm with a statement 25-17, 25-18, 25-20 sweep of Far Eastern University on Saturday, both players and coaches are beginning to get a better handle on navigating the season together.
READ: Poyos stays hot as UST draws level with FEU for joint third
“To be honest, hindi po naging madali. Nakikita ko naman po na nandu’n na. Nagmi-meet halfway po talaga ‘yung players and coaches para sa new system na ‘yun,” said Pepito.
“Sobrang open talaga ng coaches and sa players, ‘yung teammates ko, na kahit anong mangyari, iisa pa rin ‘yung goal namin.”
Golden path
While UST is not chasing overnight success, assistant coach Yani Fernandez has been encouraged by how their wards have grown together through the adjustment period.
“Baby steps talaga ‘yung nangyayari. Nakikita naman natin sa series ng games din namin na at least, medyo mabagal nu’ng una and then, maganda nitong huli,” he said.
“‘Yun naman ‘yung nag-speak sa laro and standing natin, kung papaano ‘yung adaptation. Kailangan talaga mag-meet halfway and magsuportahan sa isa’t-isa kasi ‘yun naman talaga ‘yung essence ng team.”
Despite the scrutiny early in the season, Fernandez also credited delos Santos for standing firm through the challenging start.
From a team-worst 2-3 stride, they’re now at 4-3 and tied for third with the Lady Tamaraws, further boosting their bid to reach Final Four play once more.
“Kudos din kay coach Shaq dahil ‘yung tiyaga rin na binibigay niya sa players, sa mga coaches, hindi rin biro ‘yung sa sitwasyon dahil siyempre, ‘yung tagal din ng mga bata kay coach Kungfu,” he said.
“Two years nang coaching staff si coach Shaq sa’min, and nine months na sa pagiging head. Hindi madali pero sinasabi niya na kakayanin kaya lahat kami nakasuporta kay coach Shaq.”
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