University of the Philippines has tapped two promising prospects from the Visayas as program director Oliver Almadro gets his hands on the rebuilding of the school’s women’s volleyball team.

Bacolod Tay Tung High School’s Jothea Mae Ramos and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu’s Joanneesse Gabrielle Perez have committed to the Fighting Maroons ahead of the UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournament.

With the champion coach now at the helm, Almadro is hoping for a significant turnaround following the embattled UP’s past two campaigns where it only tallied six wins.

"The UP volleyball program and the UP community are really happy for the commitment of these two high school standouts. Aside from their talents, they will bring their aggressiveness and leadership to our UP WVT," said Almadro.

The 5-foot-9 Ramos, who captained the Bacolod Tay Tung, led Western Visayas to the 2023 Palarong Pambansa title where she was eventually hailed as tournament MVP.

Meanwhile, the 5-foot-8 Cebuana carried the fight for the Magis Eagles to the CESAFI juniors championship in 2022 and another finals appearance the following year.

Both Visayan standouts also shined in the 2022-23 Rebisco Volleyball League and will surely boost the UP side’s hopes in the upcoming season.

There, the Fighting Maroons are looking to snap an eight-year Final Four drought, having last played in the semifinal round in 2016 led then by PVL star Tots Carlos and Isa Molde.

Their move to Diliman was aided by Frank Lao's Strong Group, the new backer for both the women’s and men’s team, as well as the UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development under Director Bo Perasol.

"Itong mga ganitong recruit natin for our volleyball teams, we're hoping they're just the first of many. We have full faith in coach O na gaganda ang performance natin because of how he'll oversee the development of all our veterans and rookies," said Perasol.