PUBLIC clamor has grown louder in España after University of Santo Tomas matched one of its worst five-game starts in recent memory at 2-3 in UAAP Season 88.
Calls to remove returning head coach Shaq delos Santos and reinstate newly appointed program director Kungfu Reyes have swirled across social media in recent weeks, with some members of the Thomasian faithful urging the team to reset before its campaign spirals further.
UST managed to quiet those fears, at least temporarily, by turning back the University of the Philippines in four sets, 16-25, 25-13, 25-19, 25-20, to secure its third win of the season.
READ: UST keeps head above water after impressive four-set win over UP
Amid the outside noise, assistant coach Yani Fernandez was quick to stand behind delos Santos.
Fernandez had earlier voiced his dismay on social media after a campus media outlet highlighted UST’s rough start, stressing that criticism directed toward the team only adds unwanted pressure to the players.
“‘Yung suportahan ng UST para kay Coach Shaq, nandun. Kahit si Coach Kungfu, makikita niyo du’n sa sidelines. Talagang suportado kami kay Coach Shaq, even si Fr. Rodel [Cansancio],” Fernandez said.
“Maging isang malaking front na sumusuporta tayo sa team. Walang mangyayari kung ganyan pa ‘yung gagawin, mas nakaka-down pa sa team, sa mga bata, ‘yung ganyang klaseng comments at mga bato sa team namin.”
Fernandez also reminded supporters that UST is still navigating a transition phase after a decade under Reyes’ leadership.
Adjusting to a new system, he emphasized, is never an overnight process.
“Hindi biro na nagpalit ng head coach, nag-iba ‘yung system, ‘yung ideas, but we must respect the decisions of the management, the administration of the university,” he said.
“Kailangan talagang unti-untiin dahil hindi siya madali. Saanman ding propesyon sa sport, hindi rin talaga siya one click lang na maa-adapt ‘yung sistema, little by little talaga.
“‘Yung engagements ng coaches at players, ‘yun pa ‘yung dapat mapagtibay na sa uncomfortable areas at situations, dapat du’n mas nagiging as one ‘yung team.”
Now that the result are starting to swing their way again, Fernandez had one encouraging guarantee for the team’s direction the rest of the way.
“Basta kami, on our end, ilalaban namin ‘yung UAAP hanggang huli.”
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