The UAAP has a rich history of foreign coaches who have significantly enhanced its various sports events.
From the esteemed ‘Master’ Kim Chul-Su and Tai Bundit to the strategic Tab Baldwin, the league’s member schools have sought international mentors to elevate their varsity programs and accelerate their players’ development.
In the current season, Far Eastern University is striving to reclaim its championship title in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament.
At the helm of this endeavor is Román Oliver, who recently led the Tamaraws to a decisive 3-0 victory over Adamson University.
This win, achieved last Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium, marked Oliver’s debut match in charge of the Tams.
“It’s important to have the three points, but most importantly, I’m very happy about the way we achieved it,” said the 39-year-old coach from Barcelona, Spain.
“The image, especially in the first half, is exactly how we need to continue working. It’s not just about winning; we want people to enjoy watching our style of play. This is one of our objectives. Yes, we’re happy.”
Oliver began his coaching career in his hometown, working with youth teams for notable clubs such as FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol.
His career has taken him to Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and most recently Thailand.
The opportunity to work with FEU came through a call from long-time football program head Vince Santos.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Attracted by the prospect of joining one of the country’s most successful collegiate programs, Oliver packed his bags and moved to Manila just in time for Season 87.
“Vince called me two months ago,” Oliver recalled. “He was interested in my involvement and proposed that I come here to help FEU for this UAAP season.
“I saw the potential in the project and the players’ performances from last season. Everything here is amazing—the people, the environment. I have only positive things to say and am thrilled to be here.”
Although FEU enjoyed a comfortable start to the season, the road ahead promises more challenging encounters.
The Tamaraws are determined to regain the title they lost in Season 86 to the eventual champion University of the Philippines.
For Oliver, there is still much work to be done. However, he remains motivated by the players’ willingness to go the extra mile.
“Even today, we improved in the last 10 minutes of the match,” he noted. “This is an area we need to address from last season and these pre-season matches. We are conceding too many goals in the final moments, and today, we lost some control in the last 20 minutes. We need to enhance our performance in these critical periods.”
Oliver also emphasized the need for better team cohesion and tactical knowledge.
“We need to improve how we play together. At times, we lost control, and there was too much distance between the players. Enhancing our tactical understanding will be crucial. However, given the hard work, attitude, and hunger of the team, I believe these improvements are entirely feasible.”
