Former Adamson University coach Onyok Getigan is set to call the shots for the newly-formed Strong Group Athletics side in their maiden foray in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Assistant team manager Kiara Cruz confirmed the development during the PVL All-Filipino Conference press conference held at the Discovery Suites in Pasig on Wednesday.
“Siguro for now I can reveal. The players are coming from… may UAAP schools din, may NCAA schools din, mga ex-pro na hindi na nakapag-pro ulit. Head coach nito is coach Onyok Getigan, siya po yung developmental coach ng KMS, Kings’ Montessori School,” said Cruz.
Getigan, who led Kings’ Montessori School to numerous titles, coached Adamson in the UAAP in Season 81.
Composing his coaching staff are former Farm Fresh assistant Jay Chua and Justine Dorog, who last played for the Foxies last conference.
Justine Rebleza, Dolly Versoza, Javen Sabas, Merry Rose Jauculan, and Angeli Cane will serve as the team’s outside hitters while completing the opposite spiker rotation are Souzan Raslan, Jana Sta. Maria, Ayumi Furukawa, Sheeka Espinosa, and Grace Fornillos.
Lilet Mabbayad, Mary Joy Onofre, Grenlen Malapit, Noheli Cerdena, and Nikkie Baldizanso will man the middle while Jean Licauco and Melanie Romero will be the team’s liberos.
Completing the pool are setters Chumcee Ann Caole and Vira Guillema.
Strong Group will still make two more cuts this week.
Cruz said the SGA brass, led by team owner Frank Lao, is tempering their expectations for the young group. The former Ateneo libero said that the team wants to allow the players to shine in the pro league
“Siguro as a very new team of course, boss Frank (Lao) really just wants go give an opportunity for these kids to play. We don’t want any expectations from them because they’re a very, very young team. Very young team si Farm Fresh, ito very young team talaga,” said Cruz.
“No names sila as in, siguro yung iba kilala niyo pero we just want them to have the opportunity, yun lang.”
