With team consultant Ramil de Jesus watching on the sidelines, F2 Logistics’ chief tactician Regine Diego felt something she had not felt in a long time.
In a tweet, Diego admitted that she felt nervous after knowing that the legendary head coach will be gracing the Cargo Movers’ Game One victory over PLDT in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
“Ngayon lang ako kinabahan sa game ever,” tweeted Diego, just moments after F2 Logistics’ four-set, 20-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-17 victory over the High Speed Hitters.
“Feeling ko player pa rin ako ni coach tapos nanonood siya.”
Diego was De Jesus’ libero in De La Salle University in the late 2000s.
De Jesus made his first-ever appearance in the PVL after skipping the Cargo Movers’ past campaigns due to personal reasons. Long-time assistant coach Benson Bocboc handled the team in its first two conferences before the organization brought in Diego to fill the head coaching spot.
The former National University Nazareth School head coach said that the 11-time UAAP head coach’s presence played a huge role in boosting the Cargo Movers’ morale in the match where they dropped the opening set before bouncing back to take the next three.
Diego also expressed her gratitude to de Jesus for guiding her throughout the match.
“Siyempre, it’s better if they take the advantage agad sa start, ganyan, but syempre naka-help lalo si Coach Ramil kasi andoon siya, ginanahan sila, so, and also ginuide niya ako through the game. So I’m very happy that he’s back,” said the youthful head coach.
“Siyempre na-inspire kaming lahat na nandito siya. Lahat naman kami, lahat yung core group dumaan kay Coach Ramil e so parang okay he’s here so I know we’re safe, I know we’re guided so masaya kami na nandito siya na and he’s back on the court.”
The Cargo Movers, who were coming off a tough loss to Creamline in the semis, vented their ire on the High Speed Hitters.
F2 Logistics aims to sustain its momentum and clinch the bronze medal in Game Two on Tuesday at 4:00 PM.
