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Fabio Menta rolls out a retooled lineup for the UP Combating Maroons, mixing a handful of veterans with a wave of younger expertise
MANILA, Philippines – New UP head coach Fabio Menta has had seven months to show the Combating Maroons from fringe contenders right into a Closing 4 drive.
With UAAP Season 88 looming, he now has his younger core prepared to show that blueprint into actuality.
“All people is aware of that UP didn’t go to Closing 4 for 10 years. I used to be referred to as to attain that aim. Admittedly, that could be very powerful,” Menta informed Rappler. “We went via a really powerful preparation, looking for the stability of energy and maturity for our younger gamers.”
UP final reached the Closing 4 in Season 78 in 2016, when the group was nonetheless bannered by Tots Carlos, Isa Molde, and Nicole Tiamzon.
“We needed to redo the entire program when it got here to approach and particularly techniques. For the women, it’s been quite a lot of stress in that sense, however the group responded very effectively, so we really feel now that we’re at a greater stage, quicker, stronger,” Menta stated.
Menta, 64, rolls out a retooled lineup, mixing a handful of veterans with a wave of younger expertise.
For Season 88, the Combating Maroons could have the graduating Niña Ytang, Irah Jaboneta, and Joan Monares along with the youthful core led by Kianne Olango and Casiey Dongallo, who transferred from UE to UP final 12 months.
All eyes might be on 21-year-old Dongallo, who erupted for 291 factors in Season 86 to shatter the rookie scoring file established by Ateneo’s Religion Nisperos with 267 in Season 84. Adamson’s Shaina Nitura finally broke the mark with 371 factors in Season 87 in 2025.
Except for Dongallo, former Girl Warriors Jelai Gajero and Kizzie Madriaga additionally joined the Combating Maroons, whose program bought an enormous increase with the backing of Robust Group Athletics (SGA).
“We’ve got excellent spikers proper now. So I believe all people’s going to take a slice of duty as a result of considered one of our traits could be virtually equal distribution within the recreation,” Menta stated.
“All people is beneath stress to show their price.”
UP performed within the Shakey’s Tremendous League, and in varied tuneup video games towards PVL groups Nxled and Petro Gazz, the place the Maroons held their floor, Menta stated.
Past roster upgrades, Menta stated this system has gone holistic for Season 88, bringing in psychologists and psychological well being specialists to strengthen the group for pressure-packed conditions.
“We’re working loads mentally. We added to the workers some psychologists and sports activities psychologists. So we’re making an attempt to do an entire program that adjustments the flexibility of UP to play volleyball,” he stated.
Final 12 months, UP, then coached by Benson Bocboc, posted a 6-8 file and missed the Closing 4.
It will likely be Menta’s first head teaching gig because the 2016 Asian Ladies’s Membership Volleyball Championship, the place he referred to as the photographs for Foton Pilipinas.
The Italian mentor has additionally served as a guide for Farm Contemporary and ZUS Espresso within the PVL.
With a transparent view of what it takes to contend, Mentra harassed turning UP into a real two-way group for Season 88.
“Our identification might be our powerful protection and velocity of assault,” he stated. “That’s what we need to obtain. In coaching it occurs many instances, typically it doesn’t occur. We’d like extra consistency. So, there are nonetheless ups and downs within the studying course of.”
UP will open its Season 88 marketing campaign towards UE on Saturday, February 14, on the Mall of Asia Enviornment. – Rappler.com
