Ateneo undergoes Brazilian makeover

Newly-appointed Ateneo de Manila University women's volleyball team coach Sergio Veloso faces the tough task of engineering the rebuild of the Blue Eagles for next year's University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86.

The Brazilian tactician, who is also calling the shots for the men's national team, will take over a squad that is coming off its worst showing in 14 years.

Ateneo parted ways with coach Oliver Almadro after a dismal 4-10 win-loss record on his third year with the women's team he steered to its third title overall back in 2019. That was his first season as replacement for Thai mentor Tai Bundit.

Almadro, who brought the school's men's team to a three-peat from 2015 to 2017 with the help of prized hitter Marck Espejo, was heavily criticized in Season 85 for the Blue Eagles' subpar performance. Ateneo finished third in Season 84 in the league's return after a two-year pandemic hiatus.

This time, another foreign coach will take over the reins of the Blue Eagles.

The school formally introduced Veloso along with Babes Castillo, who will take the reins of its boys' and fledgling girls' volleyball programs, on Monday night.

"I am happy that we are further strengthening our volleyball program to continue its competitiveness in varsity sports," Ateneo President Fr. Roberto Yap, SJ said in an interview on the school's website.

But Veloso, who has more than three decades of experience in forming and building successful volleyball programs with international stints in Brazil, Bahrain, and the Maldives, will have to buckle up to work to ensure the Blue Eagles will have a fighting chance next season.

Recruiting players will be the first order of business for Veloso as Ateneo lost two of its reliable and battle-scarred wingers following the forgettable Season 85 — the year it missed a trip to the Final Four for the first time since 2009.

Last season's team-leading scorer Faith Nisperos has decided to forgo her remaining playing eligibility and joined Akari in the Premier Volleyball League. Vannie Gandler has since graduated and went to the pros as Cignal's newest member.

Middle blockers Pia Ildefonso and Joan Narit also climbed to the pro ranks to join expansion team Farm Fresh, leaving Ateneo without well-experienced seniors.

Weeks before the official announcement of his appointment, Veloso has already conducted tryouts to search for new recruits who will fit his system.

Almadro before his unceremonious departure has secured the commitment of graduating Bacolod Tay Tung High School setter Katherine Cortez.

Holdovers AC Miner, who recently saw action for the national team in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup for Women in Indonesia, and Lyann De Guzman will have bigger roles to play for the Blue Eagles as leaders.

Meanwhile, Castillo is expected to bring to Ateneo the same system that has brought success to the National University-Nazareth School girls' volleyball program.

It will be the first time that the school will form a girls' squad.

Castillo under his watch steered the Lady Bullpups, with the likes of Nisperos and Season 84 women's Rookie of the Year-Most Valuable Player Bella Belen at the helm, to four titles in a row. He was also appointed head coach of the Lady Bulldogs in 2017 but lasted just one season.

Castillo replaced Jarod Hubalde in the boys' team.