Even the most accomplished architects build on systems and blueprints that have already proven effective. Barely a year removed from reclaiming the helm of the UST Golden Tigresses, head coach Shaq Delos Santos is set to guide the squad into Season 88, undaunted by the task of implementing a new system.
At the helm of a Tigresses team anchored by veterans Detdet Pepito, Reg Jurado, Cassie Carballo, and Jonna Perdido, Delos Santos is confident the team has what it takes.
“Mahirap, hindi talaga siya madali. Pero ‘yong sa quality ng players na meron kami, ‘yan, isang malaking blessing sa amin ‘yan,” Delos Santos told the Varsitarian.
After serving two seasons as an assistant under Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes, Delos Santos took over as head coach, with Reyes transitioning to program director.
He views the coaching change as one of the team’s biggest challenges, recognizing that adjusting to a different system requires time before tangible results emerge.
“Siyempre medyo may pagkakaiba. And then siyempre ako, bago sa team, hindi siya madali para ma-absorb agad,” he said. “Kailangan namin ng mahabang patience.”
Many in the roster climbed through UST’s girls’ volleyball pipeline, molded early by Reyes and assistant coach Yani Fernandez before reaching the seniors stage.
Delos Santos noted how his players have embraced the change and acknowledged Reyes and Fernandez for shaping them into formidable competitors.
“The good thing is their eagerness to learn the new system and how they respond to what we ask them to do in everyday training,” he said.
Delos Santos was the coach of the last Golden Tigresses team that won the championship, way back in Season 72.
Following silver and bronze finishes in the past two seasons, he is now intent on pushing the Tigresses over the hump and back onto the throne.
“But better na mas mag-focus kami doon sa process rather than doon sa goal para mas maging okay ‘yong performance namin and hindi kami mawala doon sa magiging target namin,” he said.
UST will face defending champion National University Lady Bulldogs on Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
