NOTHING could be more satisfying than having a dream start like the one Manolo Refugia fashioned out in his debut as Far Eastern University's women's volleyball head coach in Season 86 of the UAAP.
Refugia, a one-time captain of FEU's men's volleyball team, steered the Lady Tamaraws to a rousing 25-20, 25-21, 25-18, win over the University of the Philippines Maroons on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The team's win and his debut was witnessed no less by league great Tina Salak, the erstwhile coach of the Lady Tams and now a consultant who is making sure the team is in good hands as it tries to improve on its top five finish last year.
READ: FEU makes short work of UP in Manolo Refugia's coaching debut
Refugia, alongside FEU's ace playmaker Tin Ubaldo, were thrilled to welcome back Salak, one of the best players to have ever represented the green-and-gold to their staff.
"Ayun, isang napaka-overwhelming [na karangalan] bilang isang player na ma-coachan ka ng isang Coach T (Salak). Napaka-fulfilling na ‘yun sa mga feelings ng bata. What more pa ‘yung isang coach [gaya ko] na ma-coach ka, ma-guide ka ni Coach T papunta sa magandang sistema, kung ano ‘yung nilo-look forward niya, ayun ‘yung pinapasa niya sa’kin na tinatrabaho namin" said Refugia.
According to Ubaldo, several plays from Refugia seem to come from the same playbook used by Salak from years back, thus making the transition smoother and less stressful.
"Umalis [man] po (as head coach) si coach Tina [Salak], pero halos same system lang naman po si coach Nols (Refugia) sa kanya. Gina-guide niya rin po si coach Nols kahit malayo po siya kaya parang hindi po kami nahihirapan mag-adjust masyado sa system," Ubaldo said
More grace under pressure
Under the new setup, though, Ubaldo noted the team's new approach when the game goes through its tense moments. She said they have become more resilient and focused, unlike in some occasions before when they tended to become error-prone.
"Siguro po 'yung composure namin [nag-improve]. Naalala ko po last year, tuwing nananalo kami ng isang set, next set down kami tapos next set babawi ulit. 'Yun po yung nabago [na] namin [for] this year," Ubaldo said.
"Morale-booster [rin] namin 'tong first game. Nagawa po namin nang maayos 'yung sweep nga po [kaya] parang dito po kami kukuha ng lakas para sa next games namin. Sabi ni coach Nols, ito yung first step na," she added.
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