Japan-trained spiker thrills Perpetual coach

Expectations are high for graduating winger Louie Ramirez as University of Perpetual Help System Dalta aims for a four-peat in the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 99 men's volleyball competition.

Altas head coach Sammy Acaylar told DAILY TRIBUNE that a bigger role awaits the reigning Most Valuable Player when action erupts in April next year.

Ramirez, a versatile spiker who can deliver from the open or opposite spot, trained with Japan V.League top-tier club Oita Miyoshi last August.

"I expect a lot from him, especially maturity-wise. He has trained in Japan and had good exposure in the Spikers' Turf," Acaylar said.

However, the mentor admitted that Ramirez would have to work harder to step up his game heading into the collegiate volleyball season where he is also set to defend the Altas' men's beach volleyball crown.

"Unfortunately, it seemed like his performance dipped so I'm trying to help him bounce back," Acaylar said.

The former national team coach particularly wants Ramirez to develop his maturity as leader of a Perpetual squad that will have an almost intact championship core from last season.

"I want his maturity to develop as well as his mental toughness, focus, composure and leadership as one of the seniors. He has to step up," Acaylar said.

The Altas went unbeaten in the elimination round of Season 98 in the return of the men's tournament after a two-year pandemic hiatus to advance straight to the finals.

Perpetual got its 10-game win streak snapped after San Beda University took Game 2 of the best-of-three finals in five sets before eventually extending its reign with a four-set victory in the winner-take-all Game 3.

Acaylar said that the Altas will be skipping the Spikers' Turf season-opener early 2024 to concentrate on their beach volleyball title defense starting 23 January.

"I don't want Louie and two of my other wing spikers to get distracted. I want them to just focus on beach volleyball. But my plan for my indoor team is to have tune-up games with UAAP teams and other club teams," Acaylar said.