Noel Orcullo is tasked to step up for De La Salle University Lady Spikers in lieu of head coach Ramil De Jesus who will not be around for at least the first round of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.
Orcullo will be acting as interim head coach for the proud program of La Salle as De Jesus stays out due to health reasons.
“Ako muna although nandiyan naman si Coach Ramil na naka-guide sa akin. Hopefully by second round nandiyan na siya,” shared Orcullo during the volleyball tournament press conference on Wednesday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Bale since ako yung nag-takeover nung medyo nagpahinga si Coach Ramil, actually may guidance pa rin naman ni Coach Ramil kapag nagttraining kami. Yung program, yung play namin siya yung nagde-design,” added Orcullo, who also mentored the Lady Spikers in the preseason tournament Shakey’s Super League, copping silver.
Aside from guidance in coaching though, De Jesus also serves as a motivator to Orcullo, who will be making his debut as a lead mentor in the UAAP.
La Salle will bank on Jolina Dela Cruz, Thea Gagate, Alleiah Malaluan, and highly-touted rookie Angel Canino.
“Si Coach Ramil nga laging sinasabi sa akin na huwag masyadong mag-isip, kayang kaya mo yan. Kumbaga, ipinagkatiwala ko sa’yo ‘yan kaya kayang kaya mo yan,” said Orcullo.
Orcullo and La Salle will meet retooled University of Santo Tomas on Sunday, 2 pm, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
