For Shaq Delos Santos, returning as head coach of the University of Santo Tomas didn’t feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory — it felt like coming home.
Appointed as the lead tactician of the Golden Tigresses in June 2025, Delos Santos isn’t just starting a new chapter. He’s also continuing a story years in the making.
Having previously guided UST from Seasons 71 to 73, he knows the program’s heartbeat — and the expectations that come with it.
A key factor in easing his transition, Delos Santos says, was the groundwork laid by former head coach and now program director, Kungfu Reyes.
“May advantage rin yung pagiging two years ko na assistant sa team under Coach Kungfu. And hindi siya madali para ma-put in agad kung ano yung sistema na meron ako,” Delos Santos said during the league’s official Media Day at the TV5 Media Center last Saturday.
“But yung good thing is yung foundation ni Coach Kungfu, nandiyan na, and yung eagerness and yung willingness ng mga bata para matuto and ma-adapt kung ano yung bagong sistema,” he added.
Rather than overhauling the system, the concurrent Cignal Super Spikers head coach in the Premier Volleyball League focused on refining it. His strategy aims to kickstart UST’s title bid in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Drawing from his experiences with the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team, the University of the Philippines, and Far Eastern University, Delos Santos introduced calculated adjustments to sharpen the Golden Tigresses’ edge in a highly competitive eight-team field.
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“I think nag-add lang naman kami, hindi naman totally binago yung sistema kasi syempre maganda na rin naman yung program before. Siguro, kung ano lang yung tingin namin na mga kulang, inadd lang namin and more on proseso talaga, doon kami magfo-focus,” he explained.
With a healthier roster featuring the return of Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula — alongside the leadership of Detdet Pepito, Cassie Carballo, Reg Jurado, and Angge Poyos — all eyes are on Delos Santos to see if UST can live up to its billing as a title contender.
Rather than shy away from the pressure, Delos Santos welcomes the challenge of replicating one of his career’s greatest achievements: ending UST’s 16-year championship drought.
He was the last coach to lead the Golden Tigresses to a UAAP women’s volleyball title in Season 72 back in 2010.
“Ine-embrace ko siya as a challenge ‘eh, and as a motivation din na kailangan mas mag-perform kami and maging inspired kung ano ‘man yung mga comments about us — good, bad, or whatsoever. Basta ang importante, natututo kami and to be honest, may natututunan din kasi kami doon sa mga naririnig namin about sa amin,” Delos Santos shared.
“Yun yung main goal pero hindi siya madaling gawin… Doon kami magfo-focus kasi yung championship, result naman yan ng work na gagawin namin. And I am sure na lahat ng teams, yan din talaga yung goal. Patibayan na lang din.”
After an intensive off-season that included settling for silver in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League and a rigorous training camp in Japan against club and collegiate teams, Delos Santos believes his team is ready for its Season 88 opener against defending champion National University this Sunday, February 15, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
“I think makakapag-perform kami nang maayos and mas makakapag-focus kami doon sa process na ginagawa namin, especially yung adjustment din ng mga players sa new system and ako rin, yung adjustment ko rin sa team,” he said.
“Hopefully, both sides, mas maging okay and hopefully, mas maging effective yung sistema namin this year.”
