UAAP volleyball: Oliver Almadro says UP has pieces to succeed

UP Fighting Maroons.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — After tallying his first win as University of the Philippines coach, Oliver Almadro believes the Fighting Maroons have the right pieces to improve their record in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.

UP finally ended a 17-game losing streak after overcoming Casiey Dongallo and the University of the East, 25-21, 25-20, 20-25, 25-17, to rise to a 1-6 record on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With five Fighting Maroons scoring in double figures, Almadro knew that his wards were capable of winning games and doing better from last year’s one-win campaign in Season 85.

“I’ve been telling, we’ve been telling our players that they really have value but kailangan sila yung responsible kung ano yung value nila and yung worth nila. They have to work for it. Nandito lang ako to trust them and be an instrument to them,” said Almadro, who offered their win to late UP Sports Psychologist Mona Adviento and middle blocker Niña Ytang, who lost her mother Carmen.

“Meron kaming materials, kailangan lang nila magtiwala sa sarili nila because of the mentality they have to switch that we have to reach that winning culture, kailangan dahan dahanin namingyun. It’s not about sinong magaling, superstar, highest pointer, or senior. But what I’m telling them is the totality of the culture of the UP volleyball program should slowly change, if they want to change their story.”

UP Fighting Maroons coach Oliver Almadro.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Steph Bustrillo exploded with 24 points including the game-winning ace to lead UP’s collective effort. Joan Monares and Irah Jaboneta chipped in 12 points each. Nica Celis and Pling Baclay had 10 points each with the latter tallying a season-high seven blocks, as Heart Magsombol dished out 13 excellent sets. 

READ: Pling Baclay aptly fills in as starter, helps UP end slump

“I’m giving them specific roles going to our practice and going to a game. Nakalagay nga sa board naming kanina, “Be ready, be prepared, be courageous and believe,” Almadro said. “You have to trust your self because kailangan maniwala na mananalo so—and of couse, yung setter ko si Heart, naging maganda yung deliver ng mga sets niya, may nagkakamali, may nakakabalik, and bumalik nga yung trust  ng mga spikers ko kay Heart. So, it’s a team effort. It’s a process na pinaghirapan ng mga players and namin and I commend them.”

Bustrillo said the Fighting Maroons also learned their lesson as their third-set loss to UE reminded them of their five-set collapse to Ateneo, where they blew a two-set advantage.

“Parang naalala ko yung game namin sa Ateneo na baka mangyari yun ulit pero nung fourth set nagsasabi kami sa isa’t isa na ipagpatuloy namin na ibalik yung fire sa loob ng court kasi nung third set nawala kami doon,” Bustrillo said. “Sinabihan ko din sila na hindi pwedeng mawala tayo ulit kasi mahirap magfifth set.”

UP enters the second round with a morale-boosting win before facing No. 3 National University (5-2) on Wednesday at the Big Dome. 

But Bustrillo stressed that they can’t afford to relax if they want to improve the team’s ranking this season.

“Wag kaming magpakampante sa naging resulta ngayon. Hindi po ito basehan na kumalma kami, na maging complacent sa lahat ng bagay,” she said. “Siguro ipagpatuloy pa namin na magplay harder para sa mga susunod na laban. Going second round, kung ano yung naging game namin ngayon yun yung itutuloy namin and mas pagbubutihan pa po namin.”