THE UNIVERSITY’S beach volleyball team will see a new head coach next season in former UAAP men’s volleyball champion Paul Jan Doloiras.
Doloiras will take over the helm from long-time head coach Emil Lontoc, who had decided to retire from coaching. He served as Lontoc’s deputy in the last three seasons.
The former Tiger Spiker said he would use Lontoc’s coaching system because it is effective, with both beach volleyball teams being perennial contenders in the UAAP.
“Maraming liga kaming (sinalihan na) napag-champion, na same system ang ginamit. Approach lang ang mababago,” Doloiras said.
Before serving as assistant coach for UST’s beach volleyball teams, Doloiras was part of the men’s indoor volleyball squad that won four straight championships from Season 70 to 73. He was awarded Best Receiver in Seasons 73 and 74.
On succeeding one of the most revered beach volleyball coaches in the UAAP, Doloiras admitted that there was pressure to bring back the championship to the University.
“Ang goal ko ngayon, Final Four muna since first season ko pa lang naman. Hindi muna kami masyadong nage-expect,” Doloiras said. “Talagang kailangan lang naming pagtiyagaan at magsimula sa bago.”
Doloiras will have to rely on Cebuana spiker Cherry Rondina to deliver another championship for the Lady Spikers. Former Rookie of the Year Rica Rivera will no longer see action on the sands and will be replaced by Jem Gutierrez.
The Tiger Spikers, which trailed as runners up for the past three seasons, will still be a formidable team with former Rookie of the Year Kris Guzman and Anthony Arbasto.
UST and Far Eastern University have the most successful beach volleyball programs in the league, with five championships apiece.
The Tiger Spikers took home the crown twice while the Lady Spikers bagged three championships since the inclusion of the sport in Season 69.
