Sergio Veloso, a Brazilian coach, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Ateneo de Manila University women’s volleyball team, taking over from Oliver Almadro, who held the position of Philippine men’s volleyball head coach.
This announcement was made through Ateneo’s Facebook post on July 3, 2023, indicating that Veloso has already paid a courtesy visit to the University’s president, Fr. Roberto Sy Yap, SJ.
“Ateneo Volleyball Program coaches and managers paid a courtesy call to University President Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ this Monday, July 3,” Ateneo stated.
“The courtesy call introduced the Blue Eagle volleyball head coaches for both high school and college: Coach Sergio Veloso for the Women’s Volleyball Team and Coach Raymund Gerard Augustine Castillo for the high school.”
Veloso’s primary objective is to revitalize the performance of the Blue Eagles, as they recently experienced their worst season in 14 years during UAAP Season 85’s women’s volleyball tournament.
Under Almadro’s guidance, the Ateneo team achieved a disappointing 4-10 win-loss record and failed to reach the Final Four.
Although Season 85 proved to be a challenging campaign for Almadro, it should be noted that he enjoyed considerable success during his 12-year tenure at Ateneo.
Almadro, who also coaches Petro Gazz in the PVL, led the Blue Eagles to a championship title in Season 81 (2019) and guided the Ateneo men’s team to three consecutive championships in seasons 77 to 79.
