UAAP: Benson Bocboc named UP women’s volleyball coach

Benson Bocboc takes over as the UP Fighting Maroons women’s volleyball team coach. —HANDOUT PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Longtime La Salle assistant coach Benson Bocboc is taking over the coaching reins for the University of the Philippines women’s volleyball ahead of the UAAP Season 87 competition next year.

The team on Friday announced that Volleyball program director Oliver Almadro has appointed Bocboc, who served as a long-time assistant to La Salle’s Ramil De Jesus, as the new head coach.

Bocboc, who parted ways with La Salle and joined the coaching staff of Alas Pilipinas women and Farm Fresh in the PVL, is hoping to bring his winning experience to a rebuilding UP side which only won one game last season. 

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Almadro, who called shots for the Fighting Maroons in Season 86, will continue to focus on bringing maroon-chip recruits over to Diliman after acquiring Kianne Olango, Yesha Noceja, and Jothea Mae Ramos to bolster the roster this year.

“Nagkaroon tayo ng opportunity to bring together two champion coaches, and we just took advantage of it. With coach Boc on the bench, coach O overseeing lahat-lahat, and siyempre, the continued support from boss Frank, we’re looking forward to the bright future ng UP volleyball,” said UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development Director Bo Perasol, referring to business tycoon Frank Lao of main backer Strong Group Athletics.

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Bocboc was on the Lady Spikers coaching staff from 2016 to 2024, as well as the F2 Logistics bench in the same timeframe. In 2022, he was installed as interim coach for the Cargo Movers in the Premier Volleyball League Open and Reinforced Conferences.

The new UP coach is hoping to bring back the school to the Final Four since its last appearance in Season 79 during the rookie year of now-PVL superstars Tots Carlos and Isa Molde. The Fighting Maroons last ruled the UAAP women’s volleyball in 1980s.

UP men’s volleyball team also named Carlo Cabatingan as its new coach with Vip Isada “stepping aside.”