Coach O is crossing over to the other side of Katipunan, trading his white and blue shirt for a maroon one.
Oliver Almadro has been tapped as the new head coach of the University of the Philippines (UP) women’s volleyball team, the UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development confirmd on Friday.
Almadro has been the director of the UP Volleyball program since August of last year and will now serve as tactician for the Fighting Maroons in UAAP Season 86.
He previously led the men's team of the Ateneo Blue Eagles to a three-peat from Seasons 77 to 79, before helping the women's squad secure a championship in Season 81.
"I'm eager to take on this challenge of re-energizing the UP Fight in volleyball. There will be challenges, of course, but this is a blessing for me and hopefully, with the all-out support of the UP community and the guidance of the Lord, kakayanin nating mag-compete," Almadro said in a statement.
UP finished Season 85 in seventh place with a 1-13 record.
It will be up to team captain Abi Goc, along with Second Best Middle Blocker Nina Ytang to bring the Fighting Maroons to the fore with Jewel Encarnacion and Nica Celis.
[ALSO READ: Fight for their way: Team captain Abi Goc and UP in it to win it in UAAP Season 86]
"Ang malinaw naman sa gusto nating mangyari s we want to compete and we want to win. Pero 'di natin mamadaliin. We will go through the process, kaya rin natin pinabalik as coaches 'yung mga may alam talaga sa UP Fight sa volleyball," Almadro said.
Meanwhile, the men’s team will be coached by the returning Sergio “Vip” Isada. Louis Gamban and Gelo Lagando will be leading the squad.