Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles head coach Oliver Almadro has built a reputation for being incredibly passionate.
Usually, his motivational speeches are reserved for his team, but Almadro gave an inspired post-game address right after his Lady Eagles.
“People will really count our receive and our defense out, but I believe in them,” Almadro declared to reporters, addressing the criticisms with his team.
Reception and floor defense have been an annual problem for the Lady Eagles since the UAAP Season 78 Women’s Volleyball Tournament. For much of Season 81, the Lady Eagles have suffered from shoddy passing. It almost cost them against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, but the Lady Eagles recovered just in time to pull out a comeback win.
“‘Yun ang pinaka-importante – we just believe in our skills, believe in our fundamentals, and believe in what we’re preparing for. And I’m sure we will have a bright future,” expresses Almadro.
“We just have belief in what we’re doing, belief and trust in each other. And we’re doing our work. We’re doing our job. We’re training hard, we’re doing double time. There’s no room for doubts for us. I guess, my players did well. The resiliency and the faith in God really paid off for our win today.”
Almadro was particularly defensive of his open hitters, Ponggay Gaston and Jules Samonte, both of whom have absorbed much of the online backlash over Ateneo’s back row problems.
“People should not count out my outside hitters. I know my outside hitters are beginners. But they lifted us up today. Jules and Ponggay, they are silent killers for today,” the decorated mentor asserted.
“People will really count them out, but I believe in them. People will really count Dani out, but I believe in them.”
While Gaston and Samonte combined for just 16 points in the five-setter, they had 33 digs and 30 excellent receptions in 70 attempts. Both players were middle blockers in high school – only now picking up the left wing position.
“He’s really pushing us because he knows that we can deliver. He knows there’s something more. We know that, too. I guess, may kulang lang kami [but] at this point, there’s no room for excuses. Coach O really wants us to help and contribute,” said the fourth-year former libero Gaston.
“Ako din naman, kung nanunuod ako and may player na kagaya ko na maraming errors in a game, maiinis din ako. I can sympathize with them (fans). I just wanna say that I’ll keep doing my best. ‘Wag lang sana sila masyadong harsh.”
“Well, I think we can do so much better. In training, maayos naman ang galaw namin sa training. Sa game, we have to execute it lang, what we’ve trained for. Siguro, it’s all in the mind lang din. We’re pressured and all, pero we have to learn how to come back stronger,” echoed Samonte, the De La Salle-Zobel product.
As the season continues, Almadro foresees more challenges, but he trusts his players to get through them.
“A team will always say, we don’t have receive, our outside hitters are weak, but don’t count us out. We’re really preparing for that, and my outside hitters are preparing for everything. So I believe in them and I trust them.”
