When the UAAP resumes, Dzi Gervacio will no longer be rooting for just Ateneo.
The former Lady Eagle announced that she is now in charge of Far Eastern University’s indoor and beach volleyball programs.
“I am their volleyball program head for both high school and seniors,” the 29-year-old told The Game, Wednesday evening.
Gervacio was part of Ateneo’s Fab Five, the quintet that turned the school’s volleyball program around.
Being part of FEU was not part of her plans, though.
After helping the Philippines win bronze in the beach volleyball event of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, Gervacio was supposed to head to the US to take her master’s degree. However, the coronavirus pandemic changed all her plans.
“The plan was pre-COVID to fly to the US for my masters. But then COVID happened,” lamented Gervacio, who is also one of the founders of Beach Volleyball Republic.
“Practicality-wise, I had to fly back home. Sir Mark Molina and Sir Anton Montinola reached out if I can join their volleyball program.”
As volleyball program director of FEU, Gervacio will be the one to map out how the Tamaraws will prepare for the UAAP — be it training camps abroad, joining the V-League or BVR, and/or facing various opponents in tune-up games.
Lady Tamaraws head coach George Pascua, Tamaraws head coach Rey Diaz, and Baby Tamaraws head coach Rjhay Del Rosario will also report to her.
The Tamaraws are looking to end a seven-season title drought, while the Lady Tamaraws have yet to win a crown since Season 70. On the other hand, both the school’s boys’ and girls’ teams have yet to win the high school championship.
In beach volleyball, the Tamaraws last won the crown in Season 74, while the Lady Tamaraws last held the tiara in Season 71.
The UAAP Season 84 tournament is looking at an early 2021 start date.