New Adamson coach Onyok Getigan has eyes on big prize after triumphant debut

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Onyok Getigan just coached his first game for Adamson in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament, but he already has his sight set on lofty goals for his team.

“I want to lead this team to a championship,” said Getigan in Filipino after the Lady Falcons swept National University 25-15, 25-19, 25-22 Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Getigan was an assistant with the Lady Falcons during the tenure of Air Padda, who was now demoted to being the strength and conditioning coach, but wasn’t that active with the team since he handled King’s Montessori School.

“I know I don’t say it to them but it’s always in my mind that I want to lead them to the title,” said Getigan, who was also aware of the prospect that he’ll face his former players like La Salle’s Norielle Ipac and University of the Philippines’ Maristela Layug and Lorie Lyn Layug.

Getigan added that even though he became Adamson’s head coach four games into the season, and with a 1-3 record, the one thing he can change with the team is change the team’s effort levels.

Adamson, unlike other teams in the league, holds once-a-day practices and he knows that he can’t change the Lady Falcons’ schedule but he can adjust the intensity of their training.

Getigan also noted that winning a championship boils down to effort.

“The secret in becoming a champion is preparation and hard work, and that’s where you will get ahead,” said Getigan who led King’s Montessori School to the national championship among girls’ volleyball programs.

“If your opponents are resting, you shouldn’t do the same and instead start training. We’ll have intense practices from now on.”