Aspiring athletes should have these qualities if they want to succeed in the UAAP.
What constitutes a great volleyball player? There's a lot of factor that includes genetics, physique, and the psychological side of sports.
One Sports asked several UAAP coaches what their considerations are in recruiting players, and young athletes who dream of making it to the league should start taking notes.
One common theme is the willingness to learn.
"'Yung potential, matangkad, mataas tumalon. 'Yung quality niya is coachable," University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers tactician Odjie Mamon said.
Far Eastern University Tamaraws coach Tina Salak echoed Mamon's sentiments.
"For me, coachable talaga. Regardless kung anong height, syempre magma-matter , pero kung magaling ka naman, bakit hindi ko bigyan ng opportunity?" Salak said. "Sa akin lang marunong makinig, willing matuto, and willing mag-sacrifice."
UST Golden Tigresses mentor Kungfu Reyes on the other hand is also looking for athletes with unbreakable determination.
"Unang-una ‘yung desire ng player. Gustong matuto, gustong manalo, at ‘yung determination niya na kaya niyang i-survive lahat ng hirap na pinapagawa," Reyes said.
Over in Taft, they put a premium on height and the balancing act between playing and studying.
"Tall player, smart, tsaka unang-una, pagdating sa education hindi pwedeng laro lang ‘yung gusto. Student muna bago athlete, kailangan aral muna bago laro. Kailangan balanse," De La Salle University Lady Spikers interim coach Noel Orcullo said.
Ateneo Blue Eagles coach Timmy Sto. Tomas wants leaders.
"Hinahanap ko leader, kaya mong buhatin ‘yung team in any ways. Bukod sa skills ‘yung attitude inside the court."
It's a given that talent will be the first ticket to any university. But, as these veteran coaches have said, a big bullk of one's success will have to do with their attitude and willingness to work.