PANGUNGUNAHAN nina last season’s 2nd Best Middle Blocker Niña Ytang, Jewel Encarnacion at Nica Celis ang kampanya ng University of the Philippines sa UAAP women’s volleyball tournament na papalo sa susunod na buwan.
Ibinasura ang mga alok na maging pro, ang tatlo ay patuloy na maglalaro para sa Fighting Maroons kung saan sisikapin ng Diliman-based squad na mahigitan ang seventh place finish noong nakaraang taon.
“We are very grateful to Niña, Jewel and Nica for remaining loyal to UP. Of course, we’d support them if they decided to turn pro, but we’re even more excited that they’re staying to continue the UP Fight in volleyball,” wika ni program director Oliver Almadro.
Sina Ytang at Celis ang tatrangko sa gitna ng Fighting Maroons, habang si Encarnacion, ang skipper ng koponan magmula noong Season 84, ay mananatiling isa sa main offensive option ng koponan.
Nawala na sa UP sina setter Mai Sotomil na nag-graduate na, at Alyssa Bertolano, na naglalaro na ngayon sa PVL club Farm Fresh.
“Very important sila because they’ll be the ones setting the standard and building the culture. We’re very hopeful na yung mga bata at yung mga bago will follow the example they will set,” sabi ni Almadro, na kinuha rin kamakailan sina Bacolod Tay Tung High School’s Jothea Ramos at Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu’s Joanneesse Gabrielle Perez.
Hindi pa pinangangalanan ng program director ang kanyang head coaches para sa women’s at men’s teams, subalit sinabing ang parehong koponan at todo ang paghahanda para sa Season 86.
Si Almadro ay pinagkakatiwalaan ni UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development Director Bo Perasol at ng bagong backer Strong Group Athletics, sa pagharap sa malaking hamon upang palakasin ang women’s at men’s teams na kapwa huling nagwagi noong early ‘80s.
