All eyes will be on Coach O.
Who is not excited to see Coach Oliver Almadro face his former squad, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans?
Even Almadro admitted that he looks forward to facing his former team, noting that he was the architect of the current Choco Mucho squad.
“They are a great team. They’re a good team. Hindi na maalis yan and I’m the one who initiated kung sino talaga kukuhanin dun, so I really formed it to be a force to reckon with,” said Almadro.
The new Petro Gazz head coach added that facing a team like the Flying Titans will only help his squad even further.
“[A] great team will just push us forward, so no matter what, they will push us more. So, kung mapu-push nila kami, I guess we will aim much more higher because great teams will just push us forward.”
Almadro left Choco Mucho back in November, citing his commitment to the Ateneo Lady Eagles as reason for leaving his post. However, earlier this month, Petro Gazz announced the signing of Almadro as their head coach, surprising many fans with his quick turnaround.
Despite being champions of the previous Reinforced Conference, the Angels lost star players in Myla Pablo and Bang Pineda during the offseason. So, Coach Oliver is not setting expectations just yet for the upcoming season.
“No expectations yet kasi I’m really new here, the coaching staff are new, the players are new. Actually, sa training pa lang namin I really have to explain a lot unlike before but I welcome it. I’m a coach and I’m a teacher,” said Almadro.
But it seems that things will only get better from here, as star middle blocker MJ Phillips and the rest of the Angels are on board with Almadro.
“We’re professional athletes, so compared to him coaching Ateneo, I think he’s kind of more understanding or lenient with us since we are older. I think his energy matches our energy, so I think it would be good,” said Phillips.