WITH THREE championships in five consecutive Finals appearances from Season 76-80 in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the Marck Espejo era was truly a trophy-laden period for the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team. However, like all good things, this eventually came to an end as Ateneo bid farewell to another phenom in Espejo. Together with long time partners on the court, setter Ish Polvorosa and Season 80 Captain Karl Baysa, the three made their final appearance in the Blue and White last Season 80.
Their departure was not the only big change the team had to undergo as last year’s campaign also marked an end to the reign of Head Coach Oliver Almadro who moved to the Ateneo Women’s Volleyball Team while his assistant coach, Timothy Sto. Tomas, took over in his stead.
A familiar face
On paper, any coaching change would inevitably require an enormous adjustment on the part of the players as the coaches incorporate their system and philosophy into their squad. However, this is not the case for the men’s volleyball team, as Sto. Tomas had not only served as Almadro’s assistant coach since UAAP Season 76 but also played under him in his final playing season in 2009.
“Wala naman silang sobrang laking [pagkaka-iba]. Coach Timmy has been Coach O’s assistant coach for years like [when I was in my rookie year], assistant coach na siya (There’s no significant difference. Coach Timothy has been Coach O’s assistant coach for years like back in my rookie year, he was already an assistant coach),” veteran outside hitter John Rivera said. “Sa system, kind of training and program wala rin namang masyadong difference (When it comes to system, kind of training and program, they are very similar).”
Another anxiety the Ateneo faithful dealt with in the off-season was the prospect of the team rebuilding. But with the injection of Season 79 Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Tony Koyfman and a seasoned returning cast, Season 77 Juniors’ MVP Ron Medalla brushed aside the idea, saying, “Hindi naman masasabing [isa kaming] rebuilding team kasi yun na rin ang core before.”
(We can’t really be called a rebuilding team because the team’s core remains the same.)
Drawing the line
Having already forged a strong and close relationship with his players in his stint as assistant coach, the Blue Eagles mentor shared that balancing his humorous personality and coaching authority to the players have been the most testing part of his work so far.
“Bilang [assistant] coach nila [before], I’ve been good friends with most of them. Lahat ng kalokohan nila alam ko so now, I have to learn to draw the line. For me that’s the hardest part of being the head coach of a team,” he said.
“Ngayon dapat ganito na ang treatment mo sa kanila. You’re no longer friends [only] but you’re friends in a sense that there is professionalism [among all of you].”
A glimpse of what’s to come
Despite similarities on the court, every new change demands trial. Commercial leagues and pre-season tournaments provide opportunities for sports teams to experiment with tactics and player combinations while exposing lapses to improve on. This was exactly what the team hoped to achieve against elite competition in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference held last October to November. Though the team missed out on a Final Four berth, Coach Sto. Tomas was pleased with what his boys showed on the court.
“Even though we fell short in our final four target, nakita naman namin yung capabilities ng team,” he commented. “Kalaban namin yung mga commercial teams —the best of the best players here in the Philippines—but we were able to win some games na yung kalaban malalakas talaga,” he continued. “We also [had] close matches sa mga inaakala naming matatalo kami nang mabilis.”
(We were against professional competition—the best of the best players here in the Philippines—but we were able to win some games where the opponents were really strong. We also had close matches where we were expecting quick defeats.)
Medalla added that they also joined the Vikings Cup before the Spikers Turf began. “Nakita naming sobrang laking difference yung Vikings papuntang Spikers’ Turf and siguro for me, nakikita kong mas mag-iimprove pa kami this coming season.”
(We saw the huge difference from Vikings to Spikers Turf and maybe for me, I feel like we’re going to be better this coming season.)
With their eyes focused on nothing less than a Final Four appearance, the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team will be going through an exciting period of adjustment now that key figures in the team’s recent success have moved on in their respective careers. The stakes will be higher for the core roster comprised of Rivera, Medalla, Koyfman, and Team Captain Jasper Tan as the spotlight swings towards Coach Sto. Tomas and a new breed of Blue Eagles, who will be roaring to deliver.
Photo taken by Aldo Santiago
