Coaching changes for volleyball teams

CEBU, Philippines - There will be a brand new scenario in the 2010 season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) collegiate volleyball tournament as some of the top squads have tapped new coaches.

Norvie Labuga is now back as the head coach of the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors. After a year of rest, Labuga returned to USC in replacement of Roderick Arenasa, who recently filed a resignation.

Arenasa, along with Cecil Jotojot of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) and Raffy Briones of the University of the Visayas (UV), were the three coaches sanctioned by the CESAFI board with a lifetime ban, after they staged a walk-out during last year’s semi-final matches to protest CESAFI’s decision in allowing USJ-R’s Jade Dionson to compete.

Earlier in the tournament, the coaches wanted to disqualify Dionson for lack of residency. However, the Cesafi allowed Dionson to play.

It would be a tough task for Labuga this time, as he only has a few months to prepare for the upcoming Cesafi tournament as there are already a lot of new players.

“I’m glad that I’m back in the team as coach. I will just do my very best in improving the team in the best of my abilities. Whatever will be the outcome this year, we’ll improve that by next year,” said Making, who just started the practice yesterday.

“I could not give assurance of a victorious finish as of the moment because it would always depend on the players’ performances during the games. I would prefer on strengthening the team, so that they will have something to show as the CESAFI season starts,” Labuga added.

To recall, Labuga mentored the USC men’s team in their 2006-2007 CESAFI championship and a second place-finish in 2008.

On the other hand, the reigning women’s CESAFI champ, Southwestern University (SWU) Lady Cobras will now have Jordan Paca as the head coach.

Paca has been the coach of the USPF high school and collegiate women’s team for many years already and now he will be facing a tall order of retaining the championship tiara of SWU.

“It’s not that hard for me to be in this (SWU) team. They were all performing well during the practices and they would really listen and follow my instructions. I believe that with this kind of attitude, this team would prosper,” Paca said.

He added that he’s a little bit pressured since he’s handling a champion team and a great task is ahead of him of spearheading them for a back-to-back title. 

After years of title drought, it was Joerem Yu, who coached the SWU belles last year in their coveted triumph and as well as in their inclusion to the Shakey’s V-League in Manila.

Yu, on the other hand, is now connected with USPF as trainer and assistant coach of the men and women.

“I’m okay with my new team. Though I missed my former players but it’s relaxing here because I feel at home. I’m doing my best to help my new team, with the same aim – to get the championship crown,” said Yu.

Thelma Datig, on the other hand, is the new head coach of the USPF women’s squad while Jotojot retains to be the head coach in the men. But since, Jotojot could no longer coach in the Cesafi-sanctioned tournaments, Yu would be his substitute.   (FREEMAN NEWS)