Oliver Almadro has been tasked to not only lead, but design an improved program for University of the Philippines’ volleyball teams.

The veteran mentor jumped over the fence last year in August and became the State U’s new program director before ultimately accepting the coaching role for the women’s squad earlier this month, which is hoping for a significant turnaround this UAAP Season 86.

After a one-win campaign last year, there’s nothing much for the State U to build on from the past season and the ones before it.

With Almadro’s experience as a long-time collegiate and pro mentor, the school still opted to temper its expectations as no change takes full effect in one game.

“We all know naman for the past years ‘yung standing ng men’s and women’s team. And I am tasked to start a new program. I cannot say that I can change it right away in terms of skills and winning. But what I can assure to everybody in the program, [we’ll go] slowly but surely. Sabi ko nga if we want to change our story, we have to change our culture,” Almadro said.

Initially, Almadro was understandably reluctant to go into the job as he was coming off a sorry final season with the Ateneo Blue Eagles who missed out on the Final Four.

However, he was given enough time to mull over the decision and prepare for the daunting task.

“To coach muna, I was really reluctant. Kasi I’m afraid, UP is a huge community. We know naman na malaki yung UP. So sabi ko am I worthy of this position,” Almadro said

“Let’s start first with the program. Then we decide soon kung ikaw talaga ang magiging coach. Asikasuhin ko muna yung program then eventually sabi nila ikaw na mag-coach ng team. With their persistence, with the vision that they have and their patience [with me], sabi ko na ako na,” he added.

“When they talked to me, I asked, ‘Why are you getting me? I just came from a losing season.’ And they said, ‘It’s not about the losing or the winning, it’s about what you will contribute to the program. And how have we value you as a coach and as a person of volleyball here in our country’.”

Unfazed now by the difficult task, Almadro is making the most of what he has — a community which has his back and a set of determined players.

“The legacy will start ngayon. Yun ang panghahawakan namin throughout the year. Kasi alam naman natin fourty or fifty percent of the players went pro. Mga key players pa namin yung nawala. Most of our players this season were not lined up the past year. Yung iba rito fourth year na, fifth year na ngayon lang mala-line up. But import is mayroon gustong lumaban. ‘Yung iba bumalik, yung iba nag-stay,” Almadro said.

UP’s core, though, which decided to play includes Season 85 Second Best Blocker Niña Ytang, Nica Celis and Jewel Encarnacion.