FILE – NU coach Norman Miguel. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Reinstated National University coach Norman Miguel bared that Karl Dimaculangan is still with the women’s volleyball team and he is excited to work hand-in-hand with the champion tactician in his return in the UAAP.
NU on Monday made a shocking announcement that Miguel is returning as the Lady Bulldogs after three years, replacing Dimaculangan, who brought the team to back-to-back Finals appearances including a perfect Season 84 title run that ended a 65-year title drought.
But Miguel told Inquirer Sports that the youthful coach is still part of his coaching staff and he is looking forward to working with the rest of the coaching staff.
“Tinawagan ako ni sir Bing (See Diet, team manager) and discussed with me [about coaching NU again],” the returning NU coach said. “ “Coach Karl will still be part of my staff, plus with the current staff. I know makakatulong pa rin siya with me especially pag nag evaluation na kame ng Season 85.”
(Sir Bing called me and discussed with me [about coaching NU again]. Coach Karl will still be part of my staff and the current staff. I know that he can help me especially when we evaluate Season 85.)
Inquirer Sports sought Dimaculangan for confirmation and comments but he has yet to respond as of posting time.
Miguel, who coached NU from 2019 to 2020 with a combined 6-10 record, is planning to add his inputs to the current system of the Lady Bulldogs, which brought them back on top after six decades before they got dethroned by the De La Salle Lady Spikers in the recent UAAP Finals.
“Malaking bagay ang ma-evaluate ko together with the coaching staff yung Season 85 and take it from there. I love the system that they do, this time we’ll solidify it even better, yung mga naging lapses too,” Miguel said. “I am supported also by the program manager Coach Otie Camangian lalo na ng team manager Mr. Mariano See Diet.”
(It will be important to evaluate Season 85 together with the coaching staff and take it from there. I love the system that they do. This time we’ll solidify it even better, and [worked] on the lapses, too. I am supported also by the program manager Coach Otie Camangian especially team manager Mr. Mariano See Diet.)
Miguel, who was the assistant coach of Jorge Souza de Brito in Akari and a former men’s volleyball coach in La Salle and the defunct Dasmariñas Monarchs, is also taking the coaching reins of the defending champion NU-Nazareth School girls’ team replacing Vilet Ponce De Leon.
And now that he is back home, Miguel is ready to embrace the huge responsibility as he seeks to be on the same page with the high school and college players.
“Excited po ako na mag trabaho ulit sa NU women and this time kasama na din ang girls team. I know na malaking responsibility ang sisimulan ko, basta ang importante malinaw sa akin and sa mga players yung direction na gusto namin puntahan,” he said.
(I’m excited to work again for NU women and this time with the girls’ team. I know that this is a huge responsibility but what’s important for me is that the direction that I want for my players is clear.)