Veloso wants ‘happy’ Eagles back
‘Ball control. If you cannot control the ball, it’s impossible to play. Second, be smart. If you know how to play, you know how to win.’
Daily Tribune‘Ball control. If you cannot control the ball, it’s impossible to play. Second, be smart. If you know how to play, you know how to win.’
Instilling a change of mindset and having positive energy in the players are the first order of business for newly-appointed Ateneo de Manila University women's volleyball head coach Sergio Veloso.
The Brazilian mentor wants to see the Blue Eagles play loose and enjoy the game under his watch when action in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 women's volleyball tournament begins next year.
Veloso, who replaced embattled Oliver Almadro, wants to revive the "happy, happy" mantra brought by former Thai tactician Tai Bundit which brought success to Ateneo's volleyball program in the mid-2010s.
Aside from improving the team's skills especially in reception which has been the Blue Eagles' Achilles' heel, Veloso hopes to see the fire back in his players' eyes.
"Ball control. If you cannot control the ball, it's impossible to play. Second, be smart. If you know how to play, you know how to win," Veloso, who is also the head coach of the national men's volleyball team, said.
He also wants to see them celebrating and enjoying themselves on the court even in tight situations.
"The last one is to celebrate every point. Good energy. Use these and you will improve in any kind of skill. You have to change the mentality," he said.
The Blue Eagles are coming off a dismal 4-10 win-loss record for its worst showing in 14 years and missed the Final Four for the first time since 2009.
"I feel the girls want to improve and try their best. I know this is hard and sometimes I need to push them a little more but this balance, it's important," Veloso said.
"If you know how to use your strong mind, you can play better."
Ateneo parted ways with Almadro, who took over the reins from Bundit in 2018, after three seasons. He steered the Blue Eagles to their third title overall in 2019 and to a third place finish last year in the league's return after a two-year pandemic hiatus.
Under Bundit, Ateneo won the Seasons 76 and 77 titles in 2014 and 2015 behind stars Alyssa Valdez, Jia Morado-De Guzman and Denden Lazaro-Revilla.
AC Miner and Lyann De Guzman will take the leadership role for the rebuilding Ateneo squad.
