Champion coach Obet Javier goes back to being a referee for a game in UAAP

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Obet Javier is one of the NCAA’s most successful volleyball coaches after recently steering Arellano University to its fourth title in five years in women’s volleyball.

That doesn’t mean, though, that Javier won’t expand his portfolio and do some other jobs here and there.

Apart from having a bright volleyball mind, Javier is also a national referee in the sport and he also officiated the game between Adamson University and University in the opening weekend of the UAAP Season 81 men’s volleyball tournament Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Javier said he was already a volleyball referee a few years back but he wasn’t allowed to officiate games in the UAAP due to his previous employment with University of the East.

“It was in 2001 that I started refereeing but that was in high school, and this was the first time I officiated a collegiate game in the UAAP,” said Javier in Filipino after the game in which the Soaring Falcons won, 33-31, 23-25, 16-25, 25-15, 16-14.

Javier said he didn’t hesitate in grabbing the opportunity in working as a referee once again and he was absolutely delighted to officiate five-setter of a contest.

He’s also not closing any doors in officiating women’s volleyball since he’s only prompted of the games he would officiate on a short notice.

“I actually liked that this went to five sets because it really tested my knowledge in officiating,” said Javier. “They just tell me what games I’ll be in, and who knows, I might get to officiate in the women’s tournament.”

As far as dealing with other coaches, Javier said he just has to remain composed since he knows that it’s like being on the receiving end of irate demands.

“I just have to be composed because I’m also a coach and I deal with referees all the time.”