Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Francis Vicente assumed the head coaching job of the University of the East Lady Warriors in 2014, and back then he had the job of turning the struggling team to contenders.
A couple of years on to 2016 and the Lady Warriors are dead last in the Season 78 standings of the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tournament and a 57-game losing streak is not something Vicente wants to make his legacy out of.
Vicente on Saturday asked for some patience since turning a team who is used to losing into title contenders takes years to complete.
“Kailangan lang patience,” Vicente said after his Lady Warriors got their rugs swept under them by De La Salle University. “Just be patient, di naman ako magician na isang ano lang lalakas agad ang team.”
Vicente is a former national coach for the men’s volleyball team and was once at the helm of the girls’ team of University of Santo Tomas.
He added what needs to be done is take away the mentality of getting intimidated when a strong opponent comes their way and all champion teams experienced the same struggles they face.
“Nasa bottomline yan, laging nasa ilalim,” Vicente said. “From the past years, hirap din silang umangat… La Salle nasa bottomline din yan, kahit Ateneo.”
“Exceptions lang FEU [Far Eastern University] at UST [University of Santo Tomas] kasi since start ng UAAP mataas na yan.”