First-time UP head coach Benson Bocboc isn’t looking too far ahead into his and the Lady Maroons’ long-term future.
For about eight years, Benson Bocboc was closely associated with Ramil de Jesus and De La Salle University as a trusted assistant coach for the Lady Spikers in the UAAP and F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in the professional scene.
Today, Bocboc is set to debut as a UAAP head coach with the UP Lady Maroons, starting with the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament. From providing second or third opinions as a deputy, Bocboc now finds himself leading the charge for a whole different team.
“Di naman na bago sa UAAP, bago ako doon sa environment ng ibang team so hopefully mai-push natin sa nakasanayan nating level,” Bocboc said during the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Volleyball press conference on Thursday. “Syempre iba ‘yung mga players, iba ‘yung school, pero volleyball din ‘yung pinaguusapan eh.”
“So hopefully kahit pa-konti konti ma-translate ‘yung kailangan sa games, then makita natin ‘yung improvement from the previous games.”
Benson Bocboc takes over a Lady Maroons core that includes one-time Best Middle Blocker Niña Ytang, captain Nica Celis, Irah Jaboneta and juniors stars Yesha Noceja and Kianne Olango for Season 87.
While he’s a first-time UAAP head coach, Bocboc also calls the shots for the Farm Fresh Foxies in the PVL, which he’s already using to his advantage with the Lady Maroons.
“Well, at least hindi galing sa zero, sometimes favorable sa Farm Fresh, sometimes favorable sa UP, so you learn both ways, hindi lang sa pro dahil nga volleyball, same [experience]. May mga maliliit na bagay na nakakatulong na malaking bagay din. Nakikita namin kagad [sa UP] kahit ‘di pa nagsstart ‘yung season, marami nang adjustments na pwede gawin, ‘yung learnings marami na,” Bocboc said of his dual roles.
But this setup comes with its share of challenges, given that Bocboc’s presence will be needed by both UP and Farm Fresh. While PVL and UAAP gamedays usually don’t conflict, it doesn’t erase the need for daily training sessions, rigorous scouting reports, and meticulous film viewing sessions either.
“Times four ‘yun! Kasi coaching and scouting, tapos dalawang team pa, so apat. So tignan na lang natin, hopefully mai-share din natin ‘yung responsibility with my coaching staff. Pero currently ginaguide pa rin natin sila na hopefully, as we go along the season, dumami na kami and mas mabilis ‘yung trabaho natin,” said Bocboc, who will be joined by setter Alohi Robins-Hardy, Obet Vital, and program director Oliver Almadro in State U.
Bocboc is also brushing off the narratives attached to his UP stint, such as the inevitable face off with the Lady Spikers, and the addition of California Academy products Casiey Dongallo, Kizzie Madriaga, Jelai Gajero, and Jenalyn Umayam for Season 88.
“Sa ngayon, I’m focusing doon sa context na volleyball, wala na akong iniisip pa sa labas, sa ngayon wala pa…sa court lang kami naka-focus ngayon, pero siguro once nagstart na ‘yung season mafe-feel na natin ‘yung difference [outside of DLSU],” he said.
“Hindi [rin] namin tinitignan [CAL girls] kasi we’re doing separate things, I’m focusing more on the UAAP then the other three is focusing more on the development…in general I’m just focused on the UAAP lineup,” Bocboc added when asked about the CAL graduates.
Banner images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.