While Airess Padda did give the Adamson University Lady Falcons several memorable moments and a different personality, Adamson only had a 7-24 UAAP record from the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Volleyball tournament up until her final game in Season 81 last February 27.
This prompted a change as management decided to move on from the American mentor and promote Onyok Getigan from assistant to head coach.
Getigan is one of the best high school coaches in the country, developing Kings Montessori into a top program and winning three Palarong Pambansa titles. He was named head coach of the Adamson Girl’s Volleyball program in 2018.
Numerous UAAP players came from KMS, such as Norielle Ipac of De La Salle University, and Rem Altomea, Lorie Bernardo, and Marist Layug of University of the Philippines.
Getigan was clear with his goal for Adamson.
Former Kings Montessori standout Ipac is now playing for the DLSU Lady Spikers
“Gusto ko sila mag-champion talaga, ‘yun ang goal ko talaga. ‘Yun talaga ang gusto ko talaga. Minsan hindi ko binabanggit, pero laging nasa ulo ko,” said Getigan, adding that having been assistant for the Lady Falcons for the past two years will has given him ample knowledge with how to approach this new job.
“‘Yung mga dati kong mga player ng high school na nasa ibang UAAP na, makakalaban ko ngayon, sige lang. Siyempre, ayaw mo silang makalaban pero wala kang magagawa. May sa UP meron, sa La Salle meron. Ganoon talaga.”
In Getigan’s first match, the Lady Falcons snapped their three-game losing skid and earned their first win of Season 81.
Getigan anticipates an adjustment period with him as high school volleyball is totally different from college.
“Sa high school kasi, minsan may darating sayo na hindi marunong na player, talagang tatyagain mo talaga. Sa college, dapat magaling ang darating na player sayo. Yun ang puhunan mo sa college. Kasi, karamihan sa mga school ngayon, grabe ang recruitment,” said Getigan. He said this as numerous KMS players have commited to Adamson for next season.
“Maiiwan ka kapag hindi mo ginawa yung ganoon. Or kailangan, doblehin mo ang sipag mo. Yun na lang ang pinaka-puhunan mo, para makasabay ka sa ibang team.”
