Almadro will now keep his tabs on three volleyball programs.
Oliver Almadro has been having quite the offseason.
After recently being appointed as the head of volleyball operations for the Petro Gazz Angels in the PVL and head coach of the Letran Lady Knights in the NCAA, Almadro has been tapped to be the volleyball program director of the UP Fighting Maroons.
Almadro, who previously coached the Ateneo Blue Eagles men's and women's volleyball squads in separate stints, will take charge of UP's men's and women's teams in this new role.
"I'm honored to be given this opportunity. I'm aware that it'll be hard, but it's actually easy to trust in the process because of all those who believe in me," Almadro said in a statement.
Among those believers is Bo Perasol, who was named director of the school's new Office for Athletics and Sports Development (OASD) earlier this month.
"We believe that coach O will bring the UP volleyball program to greater heights. He has the experience of building championship teams and he will have a helping hand in the form of our new sponsor for our volleyball program," said Perasol, also pertaining to UP partner Farm Fresh Dairy.
UP also announced that Shaq Delos Santos and Rald Ricafort, who coached the UP women’s and men’s volleyball team, respectively, will no longer return to their posts. Almadro is tasked to handpick their successors.
Prior to joining UP, Almadro guided Ateneo to several championships, both in the men’s and women’s tournament.
Almadro tallied an overall 29-21 record with the women and 60-10 record with the men.
In UP, Almadro will lead the rebuilding phase of the Fighting Maroons, who have yet make Final Four appearance since UAAP Season 78.
Promising middle blocker Nina Ytang will serve as the key pillar for the women’s team, while energizer Louis Gamban will continue to be the star player for the men’s team.
(GM)