Sergio Veloso’s stint as head coach of Ateneo de Manila University has come to an end, closing a three-year run with the Blue Eagles in UAAP women’s volleyball.
Veloso confirmed the development to reporters following Ateneo’s heartbreaking reverse-sweep defeat to Final Four contender Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Veloso, who joined the program in July 2023, compiled a 12-30 win-loss record across Seasons 86 to 88. During that stretch, the Blue Eagles failed to reach the Final Four, with their best finish under his tenure coming in Season 86, where they placed fifth with a 5-9 record.
In what turned out to be his final season at the helm, Ateneo slipped to a 2-12 record in Season 88 — its worst finish in the Final Four era.
“This is my last season with Ateneo. I am leaving the Philippines. I will work as part of the FIVB program, and at this time, I am no longer with the PNVF. This decision was not only for this season — it started last year when changes happened in the PNVF,” Veloso told reporters.
“As I said in the other match, they just need more time because they are emotional. This is a good team, with talented players, but they need time to improve emotionally because the level is there. We gave FEU a big fight, because if FEU lost this match, they would be out of the Final Four, so they also fought hard. I think it was a very good match, I think everybody enjoyed it,” he added.
“The most important thing now is how the players will use this experience to improve and play better next season.”
Similar to the situation of fellow Brazilian mentor Jorge de Brito, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation opted not to renew Veloso’s working visa, as he was serving as head coach of a club program in Ateneo rather than a national team assignment.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Veloso, an FIVB consultant, first arrived in the Philippines in March 2023 as head coach of the men’s national volleyball team, before the PNVF eventually moved in a different direction and appointed Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni.
“You can see that many players need more playing time, but also more strength because that is very important. If you want to play at a high level, small details can make a big difference. It is just an example of how small things can lead to big damage. I think if the Philippines continues on the right path, the improvement will continue,” he said.
Despite his exit from the Ateneo program, Veloso — who has coached across Brazil, Bahrain, and the Maldives over a 37-year career — said nothing compares to his experience in the volleyball-crazy Philippines.
Beyond cultural similarities, he pointed to the country’s strong commitment to growing the sport at all levels, from grassroots to the international stage.
“When I think about the countries where I have worked around the world, I stayed here for three seasons, and if you ask me outside my country, outside Brazil, here in the Philippines, I think it is the best. The people are very similar to Brazil. I always say the Philippines is like Latin Asians because the country has a lot of Spanish-Latin influence, and I appreciate that a lot,” Veloso explained.
“When I started here three years ago, I could see that the Philippines has huge potential. Women’s volleyball is very big because it is one of the top sports in the country. There is so much potential here,” he added.
In closing, Veloso expressed his gratitude to both the PNVF and Ateneo for the opportunity to coach in the country, saying he will most cherish the relationships he built with his players in both Ateneo and the national program.
“I want to thank Ateneo and the PNVF for this opportunity to share my knowledge with my players — not only the girls, but also the national men’s team. I am very grateful,” he said.
“When I think about the end of my time here, I think of all the players and former players — AC [Miner], Lyann [De Guzman], Roma [Doromal]. They gave me nicknames and called me ‘Dad.’ For me, that is very special, because it means I was able to connect with the players.”
