Photo by Celest R. Flores/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Erstwhile assistant mentor Ariel Dela Cruz is the new head coach of the National University women’s volleyball team.
Dela Cruz, who is switching places with Edjet Mabbayad, called the shots in the Lady Bulldogs’ 25-20, 25-14, 25-15 win over Perpetual Help in the 11th Shakey’s V-League First Conference opener.
“Yes, I’m replacing Edjet,” Dela Cruz confirmed after the match on Sunday at the Arena in San Juan.
The change happened a month after NU’s exit in the UAAP season 76 women’s volleyball tournament, where they held a twice to beat edge in the semifinals but lost to Ateneo.
Dela Cruz, who served as Mabbayad’s assistant for a year, said the decision came from the management. Mabbayad, though, is still part of the staff.
“It was a management decision to switch us. But the system is still the same, we just changed titles,” Dela Cruz cleared.
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