IN nearly a decade as University of Sto. Tomas women’s volleyball head coach, Kungfu Reyes has reached the finals of the UAAP women's volleyball tournament just once. During that period, Reyes was third twice, and once as a fourth placer, a sixth placer and a seventh placer.
Compared with his La Salle counterpart Ramil de Jesus, Reyes' resume obviously is one that had more misses than hits. De Jesus has coached more than twice as long as Reyes, it can be said, but what is nearly unbelievable is his rate of success. It is something to behold: 12 championships, 20 finals appearances. In another context, De Jesus was in the finals in 20 of his 24 years as La Salle coach.
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So it must have thrilled Reyes no end to beat de Jesus in a sport that the La Salle coach virtually owns. Reyes not ony beat him once this season, not twice, but three times. The last one a tight and exciting five-setter 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7, in front of 19,505 fans.
Reyes, 43, is proud of his achievement, but his respect for De Jesus has never diminished and in fact, it has grown even as his career continues to intertwine with one considered to be a pillar of women's volleyball and whom he calls "a father figure."
“Sa women's division, sia na ‘yung nilo-look up namin. Naglalaro pa ako diyan sa UST, si coach Ramil (de Jesus) na ‘to. Sa volleyball community, parang tito ko na siya or parang tatay ko na siya dito sa volleyball talaga,” said Reyes.
RDJ's 'championship blessing'
What leaves Reyes in awe of De Jesus, besides the mentor's unparrelled achievement, is his humility. After beating his idol, the UST mentor was deeply touched by what he described as some kind of blessing De Jesus bestowed on him and his team to go and win the championship.
“Masarap lang din ‘yung feeling na alam mo na very humble si coach Ramil sa way niyang i-treat ‘yung mga junior coaches niya. Tapos kanina nu’ng nag-shake hands kami, mararamdaman mo ‘yung sincerity ng pagbati niya sa’kin na nagbibigay ng good luck sa finals,” said Reyes.
“Malaking bagay para sa’min na parang bini-bless kami, binigyan kami ng blessing, parang 'kunin mo na yung kampeonato,’” he added.
While he appreciates the good wishes, Reyes said winning the championship, their 17th if they win, all depends on them. Going all the way is in their hands, to show that they want it more than their opponents.
“Hanggang doon lang kami sa coaching pero the rest, mga players namin magta-trabaho at tutulungan lang namin sila," said Reyes.
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