HEAD coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said he would rebuild UST’s women’s volleyball squad from scratch.
With the team failing to land in the Final Four anew last season, Reyes looks to revamp the lineup to hopefully re-establish UST as a premier women’s volleyball squad.
Veterans, Team B players and rookies will all have equal opportunities to prove their worth and earn a spot in the main roster, Reyes said.
“‘Yung team last year is the team last year, iba na pinaguusapan ngayon. Sa madaling salita, ‘yung team last year, wala na,” he told the Varsitarian.
The Philippine Army assistant coach said he already had his eyes set on some recruits and veterans who could be included in the lineup next season.
“Ang kailangan ko sa team ay ‘yung handang magpakamatay para sa eskuwelahan or sa team,” Reyes said. “Dedication lang. Basta makita ko ‘yung desire ng bata makatulong sa team, malaking bagay na talaga.”
New breed of Tigresses
Since the appointment of Reyes as the new chief tactician for the Tigresses last Apr. 23, at least 17 recruits nationwide, especially from the 2015 PalarongPambansa, were gathered in UST.
With the addition of new talents, Reyes believes he could harness the potential of each player and utilize their abilities to further bolster the Tigresses.
Reyes noted several standouts including 5-foot-11 middle blocker Aia Maspinas from Davao, former team captain of De La Salle-Zobel Mia Dizon, National University girls’ volleyball standout Caitlin Viray and Palaro 2015 duo Rafaelle Del Rosario and Renee Tayag from Central Luzon.
Alyssa Teope, one of Reyes’ players in the junior ranks is set to continue her career in UST.
Rica Rivera, the other half of the UAAP Season 77 beach volleyball champion duo and Rookie of the Year, will make also her debut after missing last season due to a knee injury.
Despite a rich crop of recruits, UST will also lose some talent in favor of other UAAP schools.
Similar to now two-time MVP and UAAP champion Alyssa Valdez, UST girls’ volleyball team captain Pauline Gaston will transfer to the Ateneo Lady Eagles to join her sister Therese.
Spiker Gyra Barroga will join the De La Salle Lady Spikers.
“Hindi natin sila pipigilan, they have a right to choose where they want to study and continue their volleyball career,” Reyes said.
Veteran presence
Even with new talent coming in, the Tigresses will still rely on the veteran presence of team captain Pam Lastimosa, along with Carmela Tunay, Jessey de Leon, Ria Menesesand EJ Laure.
Reyes said that each player would have to fight for a slot in the team.
“I always tell them to keep them in mind that there is no such thing as ‘free lunch.’ Kailangan naming pagbayaranat pag-ipunan kung ano gusto naming mangyari,” Reyes said. “‘Yun ang motivation namin eh, kailangan pinaghihirapan lahat.”
