PVL: Strong Group names ex-Adamson mentor Onyok Getigan as coach

FILE–Coach Onyok Getigan. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Strong Group Athletics (SGA) will be leaning on coach Onyok Getigan in its Premier Volleyball League (PVL) debut in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.

SGA on Wednesday announced that they tapped Farm Fresh assistant coach and decorated high school coach Getigan in its first pro volleyball stint.

But the newest PVL team has yet to announce their players with assistant team manager Kiara Cruz saying that their core will be composed of former collegiate players and ex-pros.

SGA debuts on opening day against Petro Gazz at 4 p.m., followed by Capital1’s first PVL game against Chery Tiggo at 6 p.m.

Getigan steered the Kings’ Montessori School to several girl’s division titles. He was the coach of Farm Fresh players Rizza Cruz and Louie Romero as well as Adamson star Lucille Almonte. He also called the shots for the Lady Falcons in the UAAP last 2019, replacing Air Padda.

Cruz said that the management is tempering its expectations for its young team as owner Frank Lao wanted to give opportunities for volleyball athletes after he shouldered the salaries of the defunct Gerflor Defenders, who struggled due to mismanagement last season.

“As a very new team, of course, boss Frank really just wants to give an opportunity for these kids to play. We don’t want any expectations from them because they’re a very, very young team,” said Cruz in Filipino. “Farm Fresh is already a very young team si Farm Fresh but SGA is even younger. No names sila as in, siguro yung iba kilala niyo pero we just want them to have the opportunity.”

SGA, which tapped ex-NBA Dwight Howard to participate in the Dubai International Basketball Championship last month, announced its entry to the volleyball scene last month with fellow newcomer Capital1 to keep a 12-team field this season.

The sister team of Farm Fresh is also backing collegiate teams University of the East, University of the Philippines, and College of Saint Benilde.