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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Manolo Refugia relishes Final Four return in maiden coaching stint

Manolo Refugia relishes Final Four return in maiden coaching stint

Published Apr 16, 2024 07:42 am

At A Glance

  • Far Eastern University rookie head coach Manolo Refugia is over the moon after guiding the Lady Tamaraws back to the Final Four of the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament in only his maiden coaching stint. 
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Far Eastern University rookie head coach Manolo Refugia is over the moon after guiding the Lady Tamaraws back to the Final Four of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament in only his maiden coaching stint. 

 

UAAP86 WVB - FEU-07558.jpg
FEU head coach Manolo Refugia. (UAAP Media)

 

The young tactician is loving every moment of FEU’s sweet return to the semifinal for the first time since Season 81 in 2019 after its massive win over top seed University of Santo Tomas last week. 

Refugia replaced Tina Salak at the helm last year after being part of the school’s volleyball program for a while prior to the appointment. 

During his college days, Refugia played for the FEU men’s volleyball team which didn’t make the role unfamiliar territory from what he was already accustomed to.  

“Napaka sarap ng feeling kasi siyempre ‘yung glory days ng FEU ay pilit naming binabalik at ngayon andito na kami sa Final Four. Masaya pero hindi pa natatapos ‘yung trabaho eh. Nandito na kami kaya mangarap na kami ng sobra sobra pa,” said Refugia. 

“Napakatamis nitong moment na to kasi siyempre ‘yung years na wala kami sa Final Four, nasa program na ako. Naramdaman ko personally, [we had to start over again].  Nandito na kami sa goal namin ngayon. It’s sweet,” he said. 

In Season 84, FEU completely fell from grace after a one-win campaign that eventually saw them at the bottom of the standings. 

Now at 7-4 in the table, FEU remained in the hunt for one of the two coveted twice-to-beat bonuses, guaranteeing it sweeps the remaining games while the top three squads end up on the losing end. 

Refugia’s side is taking on also-ran University of the East on Wednesday, April 17, to bolster its bid for the Final Four advantage with his players gaining more confidence by the second following three straight victories in the second round. 

“Excited kami kasi ngayon lang ulit kami nakaramdam na parang nasa ulap kami. Tagal naming hinintay, tagal naming pinagtrabahuhan. ‘Yung tapang na mantra ‘Be Brave’, idire-diretso na namin kung hanggang saan man ang abutin. Kung ano mang kalabasan basta ibigay namin ‘yung lahat,” he said. 

“Malaking morale boost sa amin to na makamit ‘yung ganitong panalo against the top team. Pero siyempre mas mamo-motivate pa kami kasi kailangan na namin i-exceed ‘yung goal namin. Final Four tapos may remaining games pa na kailangan paghandaan so focus pa rin doon,” he added. 

 

Related Tags

UAAP Season 86 UE Lady Warriors FEU Lady Tamaraws Manolo Refugia
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