Barroga upbeat on San Beda coaching role

Newly appointed head coach Edgar Barroga seeks to bring San Beda University's women's volleyball program back to life after being in the doldrums in the past two years.

The seasoned tactician was tapped by the Lady Red Spikers for next year's National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 replacing Ariel dela Cruz.

Barroga, who also handles the National University boys' team and Premier Volleyball League club Gerflor, will take over a rebuilding squad that only had one win in nine games in the previous season.

"What I could offer is how I would build San Beda as a new (team). I have a training program that I hope would gain a sponsor to help support the kids' needs," Barroga said on Thursday after the Defenders' 24-26, 25-13, 21-25, 24-26, loss to Foton in the PVL Invitational Conference battle for 11th at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

"I'm excited because this will be my first time meeting the team. Hopefully, everything will turn out OK."

San Beda finished runner-up in 2018 behind former Rookie of the Year Cesca Racraquin and was in the Final Four the following year and in 2020 before the season was scrapped because of the pandemic.

The Lady Red Spikers capped their 2022 campaign with a disappointing 2-6 win-loss record.

Barroga was offered the collegiate coaching gig during one of Gerflor's tune-up matches.

"We had a tune-up against (Bacolod) Tay Tung. Actually, Tay Tung is connected with San Beda and that's how I found out about the available position," Barroga said.

"An official who is a San Beda alum asked me if I'm interested. They were planning a good program that got me excited and of course it's the NCAA and it's San Beda so I grabbed the opportunity. So they considered my application for San Beda."

Barroga will have a good set of young players that have expressed their commitment to play for the Lady Red Spikers.

Bacolod Tay Tung High School stars open spiker Sophie Cagalawan and liberos Gwen Bañas and Amber Lily Biong lead incoming San Beda players.

Also heading to the Lady Red Spikers side are Jaschryl Casugod, 5-foot-8 Justine Sillo, Jayde dela Cruz, Erich Belo Bula, Gina Espina and San Sebastian College transferee Reyann Cañete.

Barroga is set to conduct a try-out to discover new talents to further beef up San Beda's roster.

"I haven't seen the team yet so I'm excited and at the same time, it will be a challenge for me to build a competitive team. I hope to conduct a tryout within this week to see some possible additions."

Meanwhile, University of the East landed five blue-chip recruits eligible to play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86.

Casiey Dongallo, Jelaica Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, and Grace Fernandez from California Academy, along with Claire Castillo of Maryhill College, will join the Lady Warriors under Jerry Yee.

UE is coming off a last-place finish in UAAP Season 85, ending with a 1-13 record.