Coach Kungfu Reyes during a PVL game.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — New San Beda coach KungFu Reyes embraces the challenge of coaching in a different battlefield in the NCAA after a decade of calling the shots for the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP.
“I’m excited [to coach] in the NCAA, of course. It’s an unfamiliar territory for me, but I’m sharing the same expertise in a battlefield against veteran and great coaches in this league,” Reyes told Inquirer Sports in Filipino after San Beda’s official announcement on Saturday.
READ: KungFu Reyes named San Beda women’s volleyball coach in NCAA
Reyes hopes to end San Beda’s four-season Final Four drought.
“This is a challenge for us to bring back the team to the Final Four. It’s not going to be easy, but we will do our best in training,” said Reyes. “I’m thankful for San Beda women’s volleyball team’s management, especially to Athletic Moderator Fr. Martin Aleman OP, for trusting me. I’m looking forward to seeing the sea of red this time.”
In the league’s 100th season, the Lady Red Spikers placed eighth with a 4-14 record in the return of the tournament’s double-round robin elimination format since 2020.
Reyes, the fifth San Beda coach after five seasons, will handle a young squad, led by Angel Habacon and Janella Bachar
READ: A long day of volleyball for coach KungFu Reyes
“Looking forward to exceeding the past performance of SBU and getting better every day in training. We will continue to guide the players in their adaptation of the system,” he said.
Reyes, a former Army coach and incumbent deputy tactician for Chery Tiggo in the PVL, took over at UST in 2015, leading the school to six Final Four appearances including an amazing finals run in the 2019 season led by Eya Laure and MVP Sisi Rondina and another runner-up finish in Season 86 last year, powered by Angge Poyos, Detdet Pepito, and Cassie Carballo.
After a decade, Reyes was promoted as the program director and retained as girls’ volleyball team coach, as he was replaced by his assistant and former UST coach Shaq Delos Santos for the Tigresses squad.
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