Ateneo president confirms UAAP volleyball coaches’ appointment

MANILA, Philippines – Oliver Almadro gets to bring his coaching brilliance to the Ateneo women’s volleyball team as Ateneo president Fr Jose Ramon Villarin formally announced the appointment of the former champion men’s coach on Thursday, May 24.

Villarin made the announcement to the university community and also noted that Timmy Sto Tomas will succeed Almadro as men’s volleyball coach.

READ: University President @FrJett Villarin, SJ announces appointment of new volleyball head coaches, Coach Oliver Almadro for the Ateneo Women’s Volleyball Team, and Coach Timothy "Timmy" Sto. Tomas for the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team. pic.twitter.com/lPNF9EgmBd

— The GUIDON Sports (@TheGUIDONSports) May 24, 2018

This confirms Rappler’s earlier report that Almadro – who takes over the position following the departure of champion Thai coach Tai Bundit – was named the Ateneo Lady Eagles head coach, according to a source. 

Villarin noted that Almadro’s international coaching license and 3 UAAP men’s volleyball championship with the Blue Eagles may help the Lady Eagles reach “greater heights”. 

“Coach Oliver is an accredited Level 2 FIVB International Coach with 20 years of volleyball coaching experience. The highlight of his current 7-year career with Ateneo is the 3 straight titles in Season 77-79, where he also led the AMVT to its first championship,” read the letter. 

“With his strong passion for the sport, the breadth of his experience in forming and mentoring the young, and an untiring commitment to our magis, Coach Oliver is favorably our man to lead the Lady Eagles to greater heights.” 

The Lady Eagles bowed out of the UAAP semi-finals this season, while the Blue Eagles failed to extend their championship streak after bowing to the National University Bulldogs in the finals.

Sto Tomas returns to the Blue Eagles’ coaching staff since helping steer the team in Season 74. The Ateneo graduate served the university as player from 2004-2009 and as a staff member of the University Athletics Office for the past 10 years. 

“Coach Timmy started his volleyball career as a Blue Eagles himself (2004-2009). He graduated from the Loyola Schools in 2008 (AB Political Science) and from the Ateneo School of Government in 2011 (Masters in Public Management),” wrote Villarin.

“Beyond the court, he has been with the University Athletics Office for the past 10 years and is a two-time Staff Excellence Awardee.”

He was the assistant coach of Almadro in his 7-year stint with the Blue Eagles and currently acts as the head coach of the Blue Eaglets. 

“Under the tutelage of Coach Oliver, Coach Timmy has been the assistant coach of our AMVT and currently serves as head coach of our High School Volleyball Team. Having been with the AMVT for the longest time, there is no doubt that Coach Timmy is more capable of continuing the team’s legacy of Ateneo athleticism.” – Rappler.com