With more than a handful of newcomers, UP veteran Gelay Lagando promises to raise the competitiveness for the Fighting Maroons in UAAP Season 87.
With more than a handful of newcomers, UP veteran Gelay Lagando promises to raise the competitiveness for the Fighting Maroons.
The UP Fighting Maroons are eager to have a better showing as men’s volleyball returns in UAAP Season 87 this month, and after a sub-par showing last year, there are tons of opportunity for improvement.
Ending up with just two wins and a 7th place finish last year, the spikers from Diliman are looking to take a step in the right direction for the new season.
Despite being flanked by rookies with more than half of the squad heading into the year as first timers in the UAAP, veteran hitter Gelay Lagando said that they’re more than ready to show off what they’ve been working on.
“Yung preparation namin, masasabi ko na I think we’re ready. Kahit na mga bago yung mga bata and mga rookies, and bago yung coaching system ng UP. Ready na kami this coming season,” Lagando told One Sports during the UAAP Content Day.
“I’m really excited na ipakita sa lahat pati sa UP supporters na ipakita kung ano yung mga bago samin sa team and ano yung mas maganda pang ipapakita namin.”
UP entered a new era in Season 87, as the team said goodbye to prolific scorer Loisa Gamban in Season 86.
Now also under new coaching with head coach Carlo Cabatingan, there’s a lot to explore about the potential of the Fighting Maroons.
Even during Season 86, there were flashes of brilliance from the State U squad, but oftentimes they fell short and would give up the match in latter sets.
For Lagando, their preparation for the upcoming season also involved seeking consistency and not just firepower. Though they already have their individual skills, he underscored the need to keep on working together as well to get more out of their games.
“Mas consistent talaga kami [ngayon] every training and talagang we gave everything talaga. Hard training talaga para talagang maging consistent kami and mas umangat yung level of competitiveness ng team namin,” he said.
“Despite sa nangyari last season, I think ngayon season, mas ready po talaga kami,” he added.
The Fighting Maroons are currently on a decade-long drought of Final Four appearances, having last qualified for the semis back in UAAP Season 78.
Coincidentally, UP was also the host of that season. Now with hosting duties back in Diliman, the Fighting Maroons also seek a return to the Top 4.