Decorated coach Oliver Almadro will make his return to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines but this time calling the shots on the other side of Katipunan for Season 86.
Six months after he was appointed University of the Philippines volleyball program director following his departure from Ateneo de Manila University, Almadro is back to get his hands dirty to rebuild the Fighting Maroons.
“I’m eager to take on this challenge of re-energizing the UP Fight in volleyball. There will be challenges, of course, but this is a blessing for me and hopefully, with the all-out support of the UP community and the guidance of the Lord, we’ll be able to compete,” the tactician said.
Almadro, a former men’s national team coach, replaced Shaq delos Santos as the Fighting Maroons aim to rebound from a disappointing 1-13 win-loss record last year.
Establishing and sowing a winning culture is nothing new to Almadro.
In fact, he was the architect of the Blue Eagles’ men’s finals return after three decades in 2014 followed by a three-peat from 2015 to 2017. He also steered the Ateneo women’s squad back to the throne in 2019.
Almadro, however, parted ways with the Blue Eagles last year following the women’s squad’s 4-10 finish — its worst in over a decade.
Overall, Almadro collected five gold, two silver, and two bronze medals in men’s and women’s indoor volleyball as well as beach volleyball for Ateneo.
His challenge now is to turn UP into a contender with Season 85 2nd Best Middle Blocker Niña Ytang and skipper Abi Goc together with returning veterans Jewel Encarnacion and Nica Celis as his key pieces. Former skipper Nicole Tiamzon and ex-men’s squad standout Jarod Hubalde will serve as Almadro’s deputies.
“We want to compete, and we want to win. But we don’t want to rush things. We will go through the process, that’s why we’re also bringing in those who know what UP Fight in volleyball is,” Almadro said.
On the other hand, the men’s squad will be under the watchful eye of returning coach Sergio “Vip” Isada.
Carlo Cabatingan will be his assistant with Louis Gamban and Gelo Lagando leading UP’s quest to move forward from its own 1-13 record.
