F2 Logistics head coach Regine Diego hopes to pave way for more women in pro volleyball after becoming the first female coach in the Premier Volleyball League. The 33-year-old tactician, who made her debut for the Cargo Movers in the All-Filipino Conference, brought the team to their best finish in two years after F2 Logistics finished third in the conference. Following what she believes is a successful stint, Diego wants more women to follow suit and make a similar breakthrough she has taken. *F2 Logistics head coach Regine Diego leads the Cargo Movers to a bronze medal finish in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. (PVL Images)*

“It’s actually an up-and-down thing. May mga moments talaga na sobrang fulfilling, ang happy. But there are also moments na parang you wanna give up. Bakit ko pinapahirapan iyong sarili ko? I could've stayed where I was. Relax lang," Diego said. “But the challenge is making me stronger. I’m happy that I’m the first woman, kailangan kong panindigan, di ba? Kasi I want women to be here, not just me. I don’t want to be just the only one. And I want more women here,” she added. But it only gets tougher for Diego and the Cargo Movers as they hope to ride the momentum from here to a championship bid in the next conference. “Nakaka-stress. Nakakapagod. Masaya kasi siyempre bronze pa rin iyon. But still, a win is a win," Diego said. “But you know, you can still dream and we can still work. Hopefully, makapag-champion. Iyon naman ‘yong goal nating lahat,” she added. Despite her coaching resume that spans a decade, it was Diego’s first time to take the helm for a professional team, which she found both more challenging and fulfilling. With Ramil De Jesus’ return to the court, Diego remains uncertain if she will continue calling the shots for F2 Logistics in the Invitational. De Jesus took the coaching reigns for the Cargo Movers for five years before the Cargo Movers joined the PVL in 2021, and it was Bocboc Benson who succeeded him in May the same year. De Jesus, though, made his first surprise PVL appearance during Game 1 of the battle for third best-of-three series between F2 Logistics and PLDT on March 25. For now, Diego was just glad to make her first year in the pro worthwhile. “Sobrang daming learnings. I have been coaching ever since, more than years. Never really coached for pros. For athletes na nakapag-collegiate na, na mataas na iyong maturity. So, ang mga learning is how to connect them altogether. Lahat sila. Kung sino man sila, kung ano man sila. Kung saan man sila galing. Whoever they are paano mo sila ico-connect. It’s really, really hard. I’m still learning and hopefully I get to learn more," Diego said. “Actually, hindi pa namin alam. For now, I’m just happy to be here. I’m happy to get the experience. Whatever happens, I will be grateful to be here. And if I get the chance again to coach in the next conference, then I’m willing to take the challenge. But if not, I’m still happy na na-experience ko to,” she added.