NOT long after the University of the Philippines men's basketball team (MBT) won its second title in the last four seasons, Office of Athletics and Sports Development Director Bo Perasol set his sights on another ambition: high time for the volleyball program to be up there, too.

That was easier said than done, though, as the last time the women's volleyball team (WVT) and the men's volleyball team (MVT) made the UAAP Final Four was way back in 2016 (Season 78).

Even more, the Fighting Maroons volleyball program totaled just five wins in 56 games from Seasons 85 to 86.

The good news is that the WVT and MVT don't have to look far for inspiration to get out from their "dark days."

Before the MBT's recent run of success, it had a 13-113 record from 2007 to 2015.
Then came slow but steady improvement. Then came support. Then came continued contention.

"Yun ang kailangan natin para sa'ting volleyball program. All-out support from the UP community and at the same time, the full faith of generous backers," said Perasol, also mentioning how the same sort of rise played out with the women's basketball team (WBT) who climbed out of the cellar and now stands as a playoff hopeful.

PHOTO: Sherwin Vardeleon

The slow but steady improvement has come for both the MVT and WVT, with the former stepping up from seventh a year ago to sixth in Season 87 and the latter being catapulted from dead-last all the way to joint fifth.

That's because support has also come for State U's volleyball program - from the maroon-and-green faithful who remain loud and proud through wins or losses to a generous backer in business tycoon Frank Lao.

Lao, through Strong Group Athletics (SGA), pledged support to UP starting 2023, assuring both men's and women's teams would be well taken care of. Through him, a program head in multi-titled mentor Oliver Almadro was also installed to oversee all matters, from recruitment to coaching and from training to strategy.

PHOTO: Strong Group Athletics

"Coach Bo asked me if pwede ako maging sponsor ng volleyball ng UP and mahirap tanggihan si coach Bo with his charisma," said Lao. "I'm happy with the result we got this season, pero siyempre, if naka-finals, mas masaya."

As is his personality, Lao is straightforward as it comes, but also jovial with his words. While he is, indeed, satisfied with the improved finishes of the WVT and MVT, he nonetheless still has lofty goals for both of them.

PHOTO: UP OASD

In particular, the SGA head honcho sees a bright future for the Fighting Maroons women, especially with a mostly-intact core still coached by promising tactician Benson Bocboc, led by three-time second-best middle blocker Nina Ytang, and set to be reinforced by talented transferees such as Casiey Dongallo, Kizzie Madriaga, and Jelai Gajero next season.

"No promises, but I think next year will be more exciting. We will do our best," he said. "We will have new Italian coaches who will be our head consultant and strength-and-conditioning. There will be many more things for our players to learn."

PHOTO: Sherwin Vardeleon

To make it all possible, however, Lao is calling on the UP community to keep up - and even ramp up - their cheering for their volleyball program.

"Now, I can feel na mas madami nang sumusuporta, so I am happy for the girls kasi mas may motivation sila galing mismo sa school," he said.

The WVT and MVT are doing their part. Main backer Lao is doing his part. Of course, the UP community will do its part, as well.

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