The Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles did not have to look far for its new head coach.
Early Thursday morning, university president Fr. Jett Villarin, SJ officially welcomed former Blue Eagles head coach Oliver Almadro as the Lady Eagles’ new main tactician.
The fiery mentor is fresh from a successful stint with the Blue Eagles, having brought the program to three UAAP championships and five UAAP Finals appearances.
While his resumé is stacked, Almadro believes he has big shoes to fill in replacing Tai Bundit.
The beloved Thai mentor pushed the Lady Eagles to UAAP titles in Season 76 and Season 77 and guided the Lady Eagles to the forefront local volleyball’s rise in popularity.
Having rebuilt the Blue Eagles himself, Almadro knows he can help transition the Lady Eagles into a new era and asks for the Ateneo community’s continued support.
“Unang-una, it’s a promotion and it’s a challenge. We know naman na those are big shoes to fill. We know na Ateneo ngayon is very sought after, very famous. Lagi silang nasa Finals, this season lang hindi pinalad. The team has a good program kasi. I’m taking this challenge positively,” said Almadro.
“On my part, as a coach, malaking bagay ma makatulong. It’s not important kung sino hahawakan mo, what’s important is the Ateneo community. The admin wants me to help, so I’ll show na I’m very much willing to help. There’s a lot of pressure, but I’m taking this positively.”
On top of Almadro’s priorities are improving the Lady Eagles’ cohesiveness and rebooting their recruitment program.
“Medyo magkaiba kami ng system ni coach Tai, but ‘yung program naman, ‘yung gustong mangyari ni coach Tai, nakikita ko naman. Unang-una muna, rebuilding. Maraming mawawala and merong mga bago. We need cohesiveness muna, ‘yung rapport as a team. Siyempre, bagong system, bagong rules, kailangan maka-cope up sila agad,” shared Almadro.
“For the past four years, kulang talaga (recruitment). Kailangan ko magfocus din sa recruitment.”
Almadro is a master recruiter.
While he’s most known for bringing five-time UAAP MVP Marck Espejo and five-time UAAP Best Setter Ish Polvorosa to Ateneo, Almadro has several notable women’s names on his list of players he persuaded from his time with La Salle.
Serving as Ramil De Jesus’ assistant coach from 1997 to 2007, Almadro talked now legends Chie Saet and Cha Cruz, to name a few, into playing for La Salle.
Almadro relishes the challenge of now having to coach against Ramil De Jesus in the UAAP as one-half of the celebrated Ateneo-La Salle rivalry.
“Halos lahat ng alam ko sa volleyball, came from him. I’m very blessed na makatapat ko si coach Ramil,” he expressed.
“Para sa akin, great coaches will just push me forward. Para sa akin, he’s a great coach and he will just push me forward. Inspiration ko ‘yung natutunan ko sa kanya, inspiration ko ‘yung natutunan ko sa men’s team. I hope that inspiration will turn into a positive outcome in women’s volleyball.”
