Now NU Lady Bulldogs head coach Regine Diego. She was the former coach of now-defunct F2 Logistics. PVL Media Bureau/file
MANILA, Philippines – National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs new head coach Regine Diego admitted that "extra work" needs to be done, and they must believe in themselves to defend the team's UAAP women's volleyball title.
They need to figure out their ways following the exit of their stars, Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, after UAAP Season 87, Diego said during the school's pep rally for Season 88 on Thursday at SM Mall of Asia.
Diego has taken over as NU's tactician following the departure of Sherwin Meneses, who only had a one-year contract with the team.
READ: UAAP: National University retires Bella Belen's #4 jersey
During the same event, Belen's No. 4 jersey was put on the rafters by the school, cementing the three-time UAAP seniors MVP's legacy.
"Well, this time it's really, really hard because for the longest time... the batch of Bella [Belen] has been with the team, and this time wala sila. So, sobrang mahihirapan talaga kami," she said.
"But again, we have to do extra hard work, and we just have to believe in ourselves and we just have to believe in all our players na natira and nandito sa atin," she added.
READ: UAAP: Regine Diego is new NU head coach as Sherwin Meneses' one-year contract expires
Asked about the frequent changes in coaching staff, Diego said it's about the girls' standard of play as they seek and "demand" more.
Diego added that she hopes to stay with the team much longer.
"Well, I think it's standards. These girls demand more time, more things from a coach, and sometimes it's hard to achieve that standard," Diego said.
"So, we're just looking for the perfect match for the team. Gano'n naman sya. Even for me, we don't know if I'm still a match for this team," she added. "Hopefully, I get to be part of this team for longer."
Amid the pressure of their upcoming three-peat campaign, Diego vowed to do her best to keep the title in Jhocson.
"Well, of course, defending a title is very hard wherever you go naman. But all I can promise or all I can do, all we can do is to do our best and make the school proud."