The University of Santo Tomas-National University best-of-three Finals series in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament not only continues the high school rivalry between the two programs but also serves as a reunion of sorts for some coaches.
Golden Tigresses head coach Kungfu Reyes expressed his excitement about facing former Thomasians who are now on the other side of the fence.
Lady Bulldogs head coach Norman Miguel was part of the last UST team to capture the title back in Season 72 as an assistant coach to Shaq Delos Santos, who now assists Reyes. He was also an assistant to the Season 69 champion team of August Sta. Maria.
Karl Dimaculangan, who transitioned to an assistant position for NU, was also a former Tiger Spiker. He was part of the team’s last glory days, aiming for a four-peat in Seasons 70 to 73. He won three Best Server awards and one MVP in that span.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Isang maganda yun kasi para na lang kaming nagrereunion kasi nga si Coach Norman once upon a time naging coach din, si Ray Karl mga alumni namin sa men’s team,” said Reyes.
“Kami rin halos lahat kami na produkto ng UST kinakalat namin yung magandang programa na meron kami. Syempre pride pa rin namin yan once upon a time Thomasian yan, credit pa rin sa programa ng UST itself mapababae man o lalaki magandang panoorin,” he added.
Meanwhile, on the taraflex, high school rivals renew their feud.
Of course, there’s the Bella Belen-Detdet Pepito showdown. Two friends since elementary days, they parted ways in high school and have been competing against each other ever since.
Other UST High School products who made it to the collegiate team are Regina Jurado, Renren Peñafiel, Pia Abbu, Mae Coronado, Em Banagua, and Angge Poyos.
On the other hand, NU-Nazareth School products who are now Lady Bulldogs include Vange Alinsug, Alyssa Solomon, Sheena Toring, Erin Pangilinan, Shaira Jardio, and Camilla Lamina.
“Well kung titingnan talaga program both sides talagang maganda,” said Reyes, who is also overseeing the Junior Tigresses’ growth.
“Kami naman tuloy tuloy naman kasi yung program so nakakatuwa na bigger venue, spotlight, mas big crowd so nararamdaman from Grade 7 sila Detdet, sila Regina, Peñafiel marami pang mga homegrown nakikita nila yung mga kalaban nila nandiyan din sa kabila,” added the UST lifer.
“Masaya sa pakiramdam kasi alam mo na nasa tamang programa sa kung ano mang ginagawa namin sa UST,” he continued as the Golden Tigresses reached the Finals while still in the rebuilding phase.
