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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Kurashiki Ablaze's Shota Sato, Asaka Tamaru join UE coaching staff

Kurashiki Ablaze's Shota Sato, Asaka Tamaru join UE coaching staff

Published Mar 8, 2024 06:49 am

At A Glance

  • University of the East has tapped Kurashiki Ablaze assistant coach Shota Sato and opposite spiker Asaka Tamaru to join its coaching staff, Strong Group Athletics announced in a press release on Friday, March 8. 

University of the East has tapped Kurashiki Ablaze assistant coach Shota Sato and opposite spiker Asaka Tamaru to join its coaching staff, Strong Group Athletics announced in a press release on Friday, March 8. 

The move fittingly comes following head coach Jerry Yee’s season-long suspension handed by the UAAP exactly a week ago. 

 

IMG_4280.jpeg
From left: Shota Sato, Obet Vital, Jerry Yee and Asaka Tamaru. (SGA)

 

Sato served as assistant coach for Kurashiki, the same squad which dominated and dethroned league favorites Creamline Cool Smashers in the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference under the guidance of Hideo Suzuki. 

Sato, will now take on the role of head consultant for the Lady Warriors. 

Alongside him, Tamaru, who was named as the First Best Opposite Spiker in the same conference, will step into the position of assistant coach, which was a role vacated by Obet Vital when he replaced Yee to call the shots for UE. 

The Lady Warriors' coaching staff, which already boasts Obet Vital, Stephanie Cholico, Allan Mendoza, Ludio Dulce, Gregory Ericta, John Paul Martires and Jelai Gajero, welcomes Sato and Tamaru with open arms.

"We're thrilled to welcome Head Consultant Shota Sato and Assistant Coach Asaka Tamaru to UE. Witnessing their prowess in the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference has us eager to absorb their knowledge," stated Lady Warriors team manager Jared Lao.

"With Coach Jerry temporarily away, they take the reins, and the players are excited. As the saying goes, 'It ain't over 'til it's over,' and under their leadership, we're ready for the journey ahead."

Sato and Tamaru, who arrived in the country last Thursday, will make their coaching debuts on Sunday, March 10, when UE faces early contenders National University Lady Bulldogs at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The Lady Warriors, currently the cellar dwellers in the first round with a 1-4 slate in the standings, are looking at a tall task ahead of them. 

Although Yee was suspended by the league and will not be present at any of the game venues, the 49-year-old mentor has remained his rights to train with the team. 

Before the suspension was officially handed, Yee led UE to a stunning four-set opening day win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles for the first time in 14 years, but has since dropped all of its matches that followed. 

The 18-year-old freshman Casiey Dongallo, though, has carried the Lady Warriors on her back since making her impressive debut and became the highest scoring rookie in only her third UAAP game. 

Related Tags

UAAP Season 86 UE Lady Warriors Jerry Yee
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