Oliver Almadro has just secured two more building blocks for the UP Fighting Maroons’ bright future.
UAAP Season 85 MVP and Season 86 Best Opposite Hitter, Kianne Olango, and outside hitter Yesha Noceja of National University-Nazareth School have formalized their commitment to the Fighting Maroons on Tuesday.
They will be eligible to play come Season 87.
“When you build a program, you need players with talent, determination, and leadership. That’s exactly what Yesha and Kianne will contribute to us, as well as all our recruits,” said Almadro, the program director cum WVT head coach, backed by Frank Lao’s Strong Group Athletics and the UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development under Director Bo Perasol.
“The UP volleyball program is genuinely thankful they chose us.”
Olango, a 5-foot-8 spiker, captained the Lady Bullpups to the championship a year ago and then back to the finals this season.
The 18-year-old was also once dubbed by living legend Alyssa Valdez to be “among the future of Philippine volleyball.”
Flanking her is also 18-year-old Noceja, who, at 5-foot-8, was discovered while playing for NCR in the Palarong Pambansa before becoming a key cog for NUNS.
Aside from getting a golden opportunity to be part of establishing and reinforcing a winning culture with the WVT, the two are also eager to prepare for their off-court future in a school with a proud tradition of Honor and Excellence.
“I’m very thankful for the learnings I got from my time in NUNS. At the same time, I’m very excited to study at UP for my future while also doing whatever I can to help out (WVT),” said Olango.
Noceja added, “It’s a big deal for us to be able to prepare for our future on- and off-court at a school that excels in both athletics and academics. Thank you very much to NUNS for everything they’ve done for us.”
Noceja and Olango will continue teaming up while donning the maroon-and-green, but now also alongside fellow blue-chip recruits Jothea Mae Ramos from Bacolod Tay Tung High School; and Joanneesse Gabrielle Perez from Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu.
The promising prospects straight out of high school will be significant boosts for a UP side that last advanced to the Final Four in Season 79 with now-PVL superstar Tots Carlos and Isa Molde.
