Colegio de San Juan de Letran may have fallen short of the NCAA Season 99 women's volleyball title, but head coach Oliver Almadro says this should only serve as a prelude to what the Lady Knights can do in the coming years.
Letran, which was still in the middle of the rebuilding process, defied the odds by reaching the finals for the first time in 12 years. Even if they faltered against De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, the runner-up finish capped off what had been an impressive campaign.
Almadro said this season is just the first step towards their long-term goal of bringing Letran back to prominence.
"‘Yun nga ‘yung sabi namin, this year we will just change the culture, start something in Letran. Win or lose, I told them to start something sa Letran and ibalik ‘yung mga glory days," Almadro said on Sunday in Game 2 loss to the Lady Blazers at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
[That's what we said, this year we will just change the culture, start something in Letran. Win or lose, I told them to start something in Letran and bring back the glory days.]
Almadro has all the right to believe so as they will still have an intact core for Season 100.
Still expected to lead the squad is the newly-crowned Best Libero Lara Mae Silva and Freshman of the Year Gia Maquilang, who were among the top performers in Letran's surprise finals appearance.
Also expected to have a bigger role is incoming third-year player Judiel Nitura, whose 12-point outing kept them afloat against Benilde in Game 2. Yen Martin, Nat Estreller, Lea Tapang, Angelique Ledesma, and Royce Dela Cruz are also coming back next year to help in their redemption tour.
Though they are now considered as among the top contenders next year, the grizzled tactician stressed they can't rule out other teams, who are just as eager to reach the top once the tournament returns.
"We cannot count out all the other teams, especially ‘yung Lyceum, Mapua, Arellano, and all other teams. They are rebuilding teams also, they are strong teams. It just boils down to who wants it more."
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
