Oliver Almadro downplayed Petro Gazz’s straight sets victory over his former team Choco Mucho in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Thursday night at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Almadro, who spent the last three years with the Rebisco-backed squad, met the Flying Titans for the first time and scored a quick 25-18, 25-20, 25-21 victory.
The UAAP champion coach, though, said that his knowledge of the Flying Titans’ tendencies did not play a part in the victory. Instead, it was their preparation that allowed them to bounce back from a rough loss against Creamline and take the win over Choco Mucho.
“So we just played our game. Kung ano yung meron kami, doon kami nag-focus. Sabi ko focus lang kami sa own skills namin, on character namin. Whatever they put on us ready lang kami lagi so I don’t think na nakatulong yung sistema,” said Almadro after the win.
“Well, sabi nga ng fans may bago silang sistema so hindi ko alam kung anong ginagawa nila.”
Almadro also said that getting the win over his former squad was nothing personal for him. Choco Mucho, according to the Ateneo head coach, is just one of the nine teams that they have to beat in the All-Filipino Conference.
“Ako, sa akin, we prepared for it so lahat naman ng teams kailangan pagprepare-an hindi lang isang team,” said Almadro.
“Sabi ko dadaan lang ‘to, kumbaga Choco Mucho dadaan lang talaga. It’s just one of the teams na kailangan talunin. Mahirap mag 0-2 e, so kailangan talaga makakuha ng isang panalo.”
Almadro said that he will continue to motivate his players and maximize what they have as they are set to take on Cignal on February 18, Saturday at 4:00 PM at the Philsports Arena.
“Yun lang, continuous motivation sa kanila and alam ko naman na they are working hard. Prepare lang and prepare, kasi yun nga bago pa lang ako dito kaya kailangan pa rin mag-adjust and preparation and maximize kung anong meron kami. We will just find a way, make a way lang talaga,” said Almadro.
“Hindi sila mahirap kausapin kasi they suggest tapos kapag may nasabi ka sa kanila na ano, talagang pinaguusapan so they are really a mature team. Good thing na napunta ako sa kanila and ako rin, natututo rin ako sa kanila, naggo-grow din ako sa kanila.”
