With its head coach in Jerry Yee suspended, University of the East waged a recruiting coup when it added a pair of Japanese coaches to its brain trust in the ongoing Season 86 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines women's volleyball tournament.

In a press statement, the Lady Red Warriors announced the inclusion of Kurashiki Ablaze assistant coach Shota Sato as team consultant and opposite spiker Asaka Tamaru as assistant coach following the three-month suspension imposed on Yee by the UAAP board last week.

They will join the UE bench crew of interim coach Obet Vital, Stephanie Cholico, Allan Mendoza, Ludio Dulce, Gregory Ericta, John Paul Martires and Jelai Gajero.

Sato is no longer a stranger to Philippine volleyball.

With current Farm Fresh consultant Hideo Suzuki as head coach, Sato served as assistant coach of the Ablaze squad that dominated the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference last year.

Tamaru, for her part, was one of their key players, emerging as 1st Best Opposite Spiker in the PVL Invitationals.

"We're thrilled to welcome head consultant Shota Sato and assistant coach Asaka Tamaru to UE. Witnessing their prowess in the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference had us eager to absorb their knowledge," said Lady Warriors team manager Jared Lao, whose wards are sporting a 1-4 card in the early stretch of the eliminations.

"With Coach Jerry temporarily away, they take the reins, and the players are excited. As the saying goes 'it ain't over 'til it's over,' and under their leadership, we're ready for the journey ahead."

Sato and Tamaru, who arrived in the country last Thursday, will be making their coaching debuts on Sunday when the Lady Warriors battle National University at the Mall of Asia Arena.