Oliver Almadro takes over Letran Lady Knights as coach
MANILA, Philippines — Oliver Almadro comes home to the NCAA as he was appointed as the new Letran women’s volleyball coach ahead of the Season 99 opening later this year.
Almadro, who played for the Letran men’s volleyball team during the 90s, returns to his alma mater after his decade-long stint with Ateneo ended last July when Brazilian Sergio Veloso replaced him as the new women’s volleyball team coach.
Fr. VicCalvo, OP confirmed that Almadro is taking the coaching reins, replacing longtime Lady Knights coach Mike Inoferio.
“I am happy to have one of the top minds in Philippine volleyball. The Letran volleyball program will be handled by him with a primary focus on women’s volleyball. Because he is from Letran, he fits in well with Letran,” said Calvo.
Almadro, who handles the Petro Gazz Angels in the Premier Volleyball League and steered the team to the All-Filipino finals in his first tournament, is bringing his winning culture to the NCAA.
Letran has been missing the Final Four for the past 11 years as it last reached the semifinals in Season 87 last 2012 with a finals appearance but got swept by University of Perpetual Help in the series. The Lady Knights last won a championship in 1999.
The Lady Knights fell a spot short of the stepladder semis in Season 98 with a 5-4 finish behind finalist Lyceum and semifinalist Mapua University.
The animated coach handled the Blue Eagles, led by five-time MVP Marck Espejo, from 2013 to 2018 and won three consecutive titles from Seasons 77 to 79.
He was transferred to the women’s team, bannered by Kat Tolentino, Deanna Wong, Maddie Madayag, and Bea De Leon in 2019, and won the Season 81 championship right away, pulling off a series comeback over the University of Santo Tomas, led by Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure.
Almadro and the Blue Eagles settled for bronze in Season 84 last year and missed the Final Four this year for the first time since 2009 with a 4-10 record.