A GOLDEN homecoming is in order for veteran mentor Shaq Delos Santos, the last head coach to win University of Sto. Tomas the women's volleyball crown in UAAP Season 72 (2010), who'll be joining Kungfu Reyes' staff as deputy coach for Season 86.
Roughly 14 years since the Rhea Dimaculangan-led Tigresses side won UST's 16th and last title, Delos Santos has nothing but love and gratitude for being welcomed back to España with 'open arms.'
READ: UST young blood Pepito, Jurado out to show there's life after Eya Laure era
"Ngayong season, isa ako sa mga tutulong sa team and sobrang happy ako kasi nakabalik ako sa UST. Nakaka-miss makapagturo ulit sa collegiate level kasi alam ko na sobrang mai-improve pa 'tong mga bata," Delos Santos told UST's official student publication The Varsitarian.
"Ang tagal kong nawala sa UST pero laging open arms ang community para tanggapin ako," he added.
His particular field of expertise which he'll aim to inject new life into is the Tigresses' net defense.
"Ang focus ko [ngayon] is 'yung mga middle blockers. Ako nang bahala doon kung paano ko sila i-improve," said Delos Santos.
Delos Santos, who concurrently serves as head coach of the Cignal HD Spikers in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), will be part of the coaching staff of Reyes — the newly-appointed mentor of Cignal's PVL rival Chery Tiggo.
Coming off a top four finish in Season 85, esteemed coaches Delos Santos and Reyes will join forces to carry UST over the hump of its 14-year title drought with young blood Det Pepito, Reg Jurado, and rookie ace Angeline Poyos set to lead from the front.
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