Returning Coach Focuses on Rebuilding Fighting Maroons Squad
Benson Bocboc returns to lead the UP Fighting Maroons after previously guiding the women’s volleyball program during UAAP Season 87. His second stint begins with significant roster changes, creating an immediate challenge before another demanding collegiate campaign.
Benson Bocboc Returns to Lead UP Volleyball Rebuild
Kiko Demigillo of One Sports detailed Bocboc’s return after the veteran coach previously handled UP throughout UAAP Season 87. He guided the Fighting Maroons to a 6-8 record and joint-fifth finish before Fabio Menta assumed control the following season.
Menta’s retirement reopened the position, allowing UP to appoint a coach already familiar with the program and several returning players. Athletics director Bo Perasol expressed confidence in Bocboc’s ability to establish another competitive foundation during the program’s latest transition.
“Coach Boc proved himself to be a capable coach when he set us up for success in Season 87.”
“Tiwala tayong magagawa niya ulit ang ganun now we’re entering a new era.”
Image from: Daily Tribune
Season 87 Experience Gives Returning Coach Reference Point
Bocboc’s previous tenure provides familiarity with UP’s environment, although Season 89 presents substantially different personnel and developmental challenges. His earlier results offer context, but roster turnover makes direct comparisons between both coaching stints considerably less meaningful.
Major Departures Reshape UP Fighting Maroons Roster
Irah Jaboneta and Joan Monares moved into professional volleyball, removing two experienced players from UP’s previous rotation before Season 89. Nina Ytang’s national-team responsibilities with Alas Pilipinas create another significant personnel consideration while Bocboc reshapes his available lineup.
Casiey Dongallo’s ACL injury creates an additional challenge because UP loses one of its most established high-volume attacking options. Replacing her production will likely require balanced contributions instead of immediately placing the same offensive workload onto one developing player.
Dongallo Injury Creates Major Offensive Challenge
Dongallo’s absence affects more than scoring because reliable pin attackers influence blocking assignments and provide important out-of-system options. UP must develop stable first contact, balanced distribution, and multiple transition scorers while building an offense around currently available personnel.
Returning Core Provides Stability for Young UP Team
Kianne Olango, Jelai Gajero, Bienne Bansil, Jaz Manguilomotan, and Julia De Leon provide continuity during Bocboc’s second UP tenure. Their familiarity with collegiate competition should help stabilize communication while younger teammates adjust to expanded responsibilities throughout the rebuilding process.
Returning players can also establish standards involving preparation, defensive discipline, and composure when inexperienced teammates encounter difficult stretches during matches. Bocboc therefore retains enough continuity to build new combinations without completely rebuilding UP’s competitive structure from the beginning.
Olango and Gajero Can Help Establish New Roles
Experienced teammates become especially valuable when lineup changes require younger players to learn unfamiliar responsibilities under competitive pressure. Consistent communication and first-ball execution can reduce instability while Bocboc identifies combinations capable of sustaining performance across different rotations.
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Bocboc Uses Preseason to Build New UP Identity
Bocboc has deliberately reduced immediate expectations while emphasizing competitive effort as the Fighting Maroons develop chemistry before UAAP Season 89. His approach gives younger players room to improve without removing standards involving discipline, communication, and consistent execution during competition.
Preseason tournaments provide valuable opportunities to evaluate serve receive, blocking relationships, transition organization, and setter-hitter timing against competitive opponents. Those matches can also identify players capable of handling larger offensive workloads before league results begin carrying significant standings consequences.
“No expectations, no pressure muna ulit tayo.”
“Basta rito naman sa UP, ang panigurado, lalaban.”
Competitive Matches Can Clarify Roles Before UAAP Season 89
Live competition exposes communication problems and decision-making weaknesses that controlled training sessions cannot always reproduce with equal intensity. Establishing clearer roles before Season 89 should allow UP to reduce major experimentation once meaningful UAAP matches begin.
Bocboc’s Experience Could Guide Long-Term UP Rebuild
Bocboc will combine his UP responsibilities with his assistant coaching role at Farm Fresh in the Premier Volleyball League. His background also includes experience with La Salle and F2 Logistics across collegiate and club volleyball environments.
Exposure to different competitive levels provides additional reference points involving training structure, scouting, player development, and tactical preparation. Applying those lessons effectively will depend on adapting them to UP’s younger personnel rather than simply transferring professional-level expectations directly.
PVL and Collegiate Background Adds Coaching Perspective
Professional and collegiate volleyball present different developmental demands, giving Bocboc experience across environments requiring distinct approaches to roster management. UP’s progress should ultimately be measured through role clarity, first-ball control, offensive balance, and development alongside traditional win-loss results.
Analytical Breakdown: Growing Together as a Team
UP enters UAAP Season 89 facing a rebuilding phase that extends beyond replacing departed players and injured contributors. Establishing defined roles, improving team chemistry, and creating offensive balance will likely determine how quickly the Fighting Maroons become competitive under Benson Bocboc’s second tenure.
The returning core provides valuable continuity, but sustained progress will depend on younger players embracing expanded responsibilities throughout the preseason and regular season. If UP develops consistent first-ball control, disciplined defense, and multiple reliable scoring options, the program can build a stronger foundation for future UAAP campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the UP women’s volleyball head coach for UAAP Season 89?
Benson Bocboc has returned as head coach of the UP Fighting Maroons women’s volleyball team for UAAP Season 89.
What was Benson Bocboc’s record with UP in Season 87?
Bocboc guided the Fighting Maroons to a 6-8 record and a joint-fifth finish during UAAP Season 87.
Why did Benson Bocboc return as UP head coach?
Bocboc returned following Fabio Menta’s retirement as UP begins another rebuilding phase with a significantly reshaped roster.
Which players have left the UP Fighting Maroons?
Irah Jaboneta and Joan Monares moved into professional volleyball, while Nina Ytang has national-team responsibilities with Alas Pilipinas.
What happened to UP star Casiey Dongallo?
Casiey Dongallo is recovering from an ACL injury that removed one of UP’s most established attacking options.
Disclaimer: Headline Image from SPIN.ph.
