As the University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University squared off in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, a notable subplot unfolded on the sidelines.
This match marked the first time that two prominent figures in the women’s basketball community, Haydee Ong and Raiza Palmera-Dy, faced each other as head coaches.
The match-up was particularly special as it represented a battle between master and apprentice.
Ong had previously coached Palmera-Dy during their time with Perlas Pilipinas, establishing a foundation that shaped Palmera-Dy’s coaching philosophy.
In this round, the Growling Tigresses emerged victorious, defeating the Lady Tamaraws, 66-57.
Amid the competitive atmosphere, there was a sense of fulfilment as two of the three female coaches in the women’s division took charge of their respective alma maters.
Ong shared her joy, recalling a light-hearted moment before the game.
“Kanina kasi nung bunutan ng referees, she was there. Sabi niya, ‘Alam ko pupunta ka coach kaya ako pumunta.’ It’s a happy moment talaga na babae yung kasama ko sa kwarto, di lang lalaki,” she said.
Palmera-Dy, reflecting on their long-standing relationship, echoed similar sentiments.
“Yung relationship namin ni Coach Haydee, I started playing in the national team in 2009. Bumalik kami sa club team, we competed internationally sa Discovery Perlas at nagkasama kami ulit last year with Allana Lim, nag-compete kami sa Vietnam with Coach Haydee din,” she recalled.
“Very familiar face and as a family na rin and turning ko sa kanila within the basketball community.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
While Ong is now in her seventh season as head coach of UST, Palmera-Dy is embarking on her first year with FEU.
The contrast between their experiences highlights the journey each has taken in the sport.
For Ong, coaching Palmera-Dy revealed the latter’s natural leadership qualities on the court.
“Nung sa national team ako, when nag-coach ako kanila Raiza and Alliana, they were still with FEU talaga,” Ong remarked. “I saw their potential as athletes and I saw her (Raiza’s) leadership. Hindi ako nagtataka na she’s on the sideline right now coaching the FEU Tamaraws.”
On the other hand, Palmera-Dy appreciated Ong’s strict yet effective coaching style during their formative years.
“More of how she approached the players kasi strict siya before. Strict pero madami akong natutunan sa kanya. To be honest, naging ganito yung character ko kase na-influence ako ni Coach Haydee before. I’m trying to do the same thing what she did sa akin,” she explained.
“Sana ma-pass-on ko din sa players ko yung mga natutunan ko while playing under Coach Haydee.”
As a UAAP champion mentor, Ong stands as a beacon for female coaches in the Philippines.
Witnessing Palmera-Dy on the sidelines at FEU was a heartening sight for her, and she expressed a desire to see more women in coaching roles.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Kailangan may magtiwala lang sa mga kababaihan na kaya namin ibigay yung technical side. And at the same, other than the technical side, kaya ng babae punan yun. I’m not saying that di kaya ng lalaki,” Ong stated.
“Ako, nag-start lang din ako na may nagtiwala sa akin and pinagbutihan ko yung trabaho ko, and ito ako ngayon.”
Palmera-Dy, on the other hand, is in the early stages of building her team for future success.
Despite the Lady Tamaraws finishing the first round with a challenging 1-6 record, there are signs of growth that reflect the vision she and her coaching staff are instilling.
“Talagang, masayang-masayang na may mga susunod na. Kumbaga, nasa pipeline na sila. They have to do their own journeys. Nandito tayo to guide them and hopefully mas dumami pa talaga,” she shared optimistically.
For Palmera-Dy, the road ahead is one of continuous improvement.
“Every game or every practice naman, sinasabi ko naman sa kanila lagi, we have to improve every day or every game.”
