PREVIEW: San Beda opens new chapter with head coach Edgar Barroga

Published April 5, 2024 9:36pm

Updated April 5, 2024 9:36pm

Key Losses: Patricia Cenzon, Trisha Paras, Marianne Tayag
Key holdovers: Maxine Tayag, Katleya Molina, Chynna Castillo, Kleiner Ross Abraham
Key additions: Reyann Cañete
Season record: 1-8

The San Beda women’s volleyball program will open a new chapter in its history as Edgar Barroga takes over the Lady Red Spikers’ program in NCAA Season 99.

Barroga replaced former head coach Ariel dela Cruz who handled the Mendiola-based squad in Season 98.

“I’m excited and challenged,” Barroga said, adding that he wants to improve the Lady Red Spikers’ performance this season. 

“Ang challenge ko ngayon is always telling them na ang kailangan natin ngayon is every time pupunta tayo sa court [ang goal] is to win. While doing that, ‘yung hard work na ginagawa nila, extra training, and discipline, ‘yun ang importante. Nakikita ko naman ang progress.”

(The challenge now is always telling them that every time we go out to the court, the goal is to win. While doing that, the hard work is there, extra training, and discipline. I can see the progress.)

San Beda finished with one win and eight losses last season.

For Barroga, building a winning culture in the team is a challenge he is up to.

“It’s exciting kasi parang ito ‘yung challenge na parang from none to may gusto tayong patunayan, kaya tayo nae-excite, nakikita natin sipag nila. For me, hindi siya mahirap,” he said. 

“By training them in six or seven months, parang nakita ko na nakuha nila ang sistema and a lot of them improved ‘di lang sa attitude, but also sa pagiging volleyball player nila.”

(It’s exciting because the challenge is from none to proving something. That is why we are excited and I can see their efforts. It’s not hard to build the culture. By training them in six or seven months, I can see that they are getting used to the system and a lot of them improved not just in attitude, but also as players.)

Maxine Tayag, Katleya Molina, Chynna Castillo, Kleine Ross Abraham, and Jaschryl Casugod are still with the team and will be joined by the likes of Lalaine Arizapa, Janelle Bachar, Gwen Bañas, Amber Biong, Michelle Cagalawan, Jayde Dela Cruz, Gina Espina, Milcah Flores, Angel Habacon, and Erin Navarro.

Former San Sebastian College-Recoletos standout Reyann Cañete is also returning in the indoor volleyball tournament, this time for San Beda.

“Coach ko na siya noong senior high ako sa RTU (Rizal Technological University),” Cañete said about Barroga. “Naging coach ko siya ulit, okay naman kasi napalakas niya kaming lahat. Nilalabas niya ‘yung good character namin.”

(He was my coach back in senior high in RTU. Now he’s my coach again and we improved under him. He’s unleashing our good character.)

Molina, who was San Beda’s top scorer last season with at least 81 points, also shared the Lady Red Spikers’ growth. 

“Ngayon po kitang-kita namin ‘yung growth ng bawat isa as an individual and as a team. Visible po sa amin ‘yung pag-improve each and every day,” she said.

(Now, we can see the growth of each one as an individual and us as a team. The improvement is visible each and every day.)

San Beda will open its campaign on Tuesday against Lyceum of the Philippines University.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News