University of the Philippines neither improved nor declined in its UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball campaign, finishing with a 1-13 record—the same mark it hit last year. However, for first-year Fighting Maroons head coach Oliver Almadro, he sees promise in his team despite the last-place finish.
“As I mentioned earlier, if you never step forward, you will remain in the same place every time,” said Almadro.
“Right now, we’re in the same place, but for us, it’s Year Zero. There’s promise with the UP community support, the sponsors, and the future of the UP volleyball program,” declared the UP volleyball program head.
The only Fighting Maroons leaving the team after this season are Abi Goc and Jewel Encarnacion, while blue-chip recruits abound.
National University Nazareth School products Kianne Olango and Yesha Noceja will join the UP team next season alongside Jothea Mae Ramos of Bacolod Tay Tung and Joanneesse Gabrielle Perez from Sacred Heart Ateneo de Cebu.
(C) Yvan Martinez/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“I always say that results are not always better than performance,” said Almadro. “Individually, as I see the statistics of my players in my first season, I believe most of them improved from last season.
“We may not be at the top yet, but still, there’s nowhere to go but up for the UP volleyball program.”
Personally, for him, it’s all about gratitude in his first year on the other side of Katipunan.
Almadro, a champion coach for Ateneo de Manila University, delivering three titles in the men’s division and one in the women’s side, expressed, “I never thought I would end up on the maroon side of Katipunan. I thought I would grow old on the blue side, but that wasn’t the case. The Lord has a different mission for each of us.
“It’s a challenge and a mission for all of us to change the story.
“The best part is the UP community; I’m always grateful because I haven’t done anything in UP yet, but people come to the gym thanking me for accepting the challenge,” he added.
The decorated tactician also credited his time at Ateneo for shaping him into who he is now, which ultimately landed him the job at UP. And what he accomplished there with the Blue Eagles, he aims to replicate with the Fighting Maroons.
“I am thankful to Ateneo for making me who I am now, and I would also like to express this to the Ateneo community, to those who supported me. I learned a lot there, and I’m bringing that excellence to the other side,” said Almadro.
“This time, it’s a mission and a challenge because, for the longest time, UP hasn’t been in the position we want it to be.”
