He may have changed teams, but Jerry Yee still carries his signature stern demeanor.
Even when he faced his former team, the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, on Wednesday afternoon, Yee was all business.
The Lady Maroons, who were led by one of Yee’s prized recruits from UAAP Season 78 Isa Molde, barely edged the his College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers in three sets.
Yee, who took over the Lady Blazers in April this year, recruited not only Molde, but also the high-scoring Tots Carlos, converted libero Justine Dorog, and current team captain Ayel Estrañero, among others. Yee’s time with the Lady Maroons peaked with a Final Four appearance in the UAAP Season 78 Women’s Volleyball Tournament and cratered with a puzzling separation following Season 79.
The Petro Gazz Angels’ mentor’s history with the Lady Maroons extends even further back, since players like Molde came from his famed Hope Christian High School program.
What could have been an emotionally-charged affair was just another day in the office for Yee.
“Okay lang. Normal,” Yee told reporters of the match-up. “Kumbaga players mo sila dati, friends pa rin naman tayo, so wala lang.
“Loaded sila, sa tingin ko ah. Maganda yung lineup nila, for me at least. Maganda ‘yung pagpasok nila ng UAAP season. Sa tingin ko magiging competitive sila if maayos ‘yung programa, maayos ‘yung training. [They] should be very competitive come UAAP.”
True to form, Yee is more focused on turning the Lady Blazers back into title contenders.
In the PVL Collegiate Conference, Yee’s Lady Blazers have pushed talented UAAP squads like UP to the limit, but have come out with losses.
At this point, Yee is looking for tangible proof of his team’s improvement.
“Ayaw na natin ng morale victory,” Yee emphasized.
“You can look at it that way pero, ‘yun nga, working hard naman ‘yung girls, so buti pinapahirapan namin sila. Pero, ‘yun nga, morale victory pa rin ‘yun eh, so they would have got a win, pero wala eh.”
