THE BEACH volleyball teams have found new mentors in two of their own.
Henry James Pecaña, UAAP Season 72 Finals MVP, and Paul Jan Doloiras, a two-time UAAP Best Receiver, will inherit the coaching reins from multi-titled Emil Lontoc, who steered UST to four championships (men’s and women’s) since beach volleyball started as a demonstration sport in 2006.
Lontoc opted to focus on indoor volleyball after the Tiger Spikers failed to make it to the Final Four last season, their worst record in eight years.
Pecaña said he was recommended by Lontoc to succeed him as coach, knowing UST preferred its former players.
But after receiving constant encouragement from department secretary Ma. Gilda Paz Kamus of the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics, and athletics moderator Rodrigo Sambuang, Pecaña finally accepted the job.
“Noong una sabi ni sir (Sambuang), may personality daw ako. Ayaw ko talagang maniwala. Sabi ni ma’am (Kamus) ‘kaya mo yan.’ Lahat ng nasa administration sinasabing kaya ko,” he said.
Pecaña added that the culture behind UST’s successful sports program, the “caring” approach and being able to choose his assistant were factors that led to his decision.
As former players themselves, he said that relating with their wards will not be a problem as they look to focus on teaching discipline and right mentality toward the game.
“Tinutulungan talaga namin sila sa diskarte kasi sa katawan naman nila, sila ang may alam kung hanggang saan ang kaya nila. Sa beach volleyball kasi one-on-one e, so kailangan talaga ng diskarte kapag naglalaro,” Pecaña said.
Aside from tips Lontoc had given him, Pecaña said he will add his experience as a national team player to his coaching regimen to hopefully avoid last year’s setback.
“Nakakahiya ‘yung eight place last season [in the men’s division] and kailangan talagang mag-bounce back. Ako sanay akong nananalo, sa UST sanay nananalo, kaya dapat talaga magsikap. Hard work and nasa puso dapat ‘yung ginagawa mo and mag-enjoy. Kasi kung puro laro ka nga and wala namang puso, wala rin, talo rin.”
On the women’s side, Pecaña is confident the Lady Spikers will retain the championship through the expertise of Maruja Banaticla, Carmela Tunay and Pamela Lastimosa.
“Kayang-kaya ulit nilang mag-champion ngayon kasi matagal na silang magkakasama sa buhangin then ‘yung mga kalaban like Adamson, Ateneo and La Salle, bago rin ‘yung players so UST pa rin ‘yung titignan, UST pa rin ang kakatakutan.”
Looking to serve as “big brothers,” Pecaña and Doloiras said it’s championship or nothing for the team they, with Lontoc, once steered through four championships.
“Ayaw namin ng championship round lang, gusto namin championship, minsan kasi sayang lahat kung championship round lang,” he said. “Hindi ganun kalaki ‘yung age gap namin sa players pero ‘pag sa labas tawagin nila kaming kuya, mga barkada kami, pero sa court we play para mag-champion.”
