Oliver Almadro says Ateneo ‘very happy’ with double duty as Petro Gazz coach

MANILA, Philippines – Petro Gazz’s new coach, Oliver Almadro, insisted that he has the support of Ateneo despite also calling for a shot for the Angels in the Premier Volleyball League season that will coincide with the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament that will begin on February 25.

Almadro, who stepped down as coach of Choco Mucho in the middle of the Reinforced Conference with the team saying they wanted to “focus their efforts on developing the Ateneo women’s volleyball program,” took a lot of flak on social media when he moved to Petro Gazz. 2023 All-Filipino Conference.

When asked how he managed his time coaching the Angels and Blue Eagles, Almadro lamented that he was tired of hearing such questions, stressing that he is not the only PVL coach handling multiple teams.

“I’m not just a coach in the UAAP and PVL or the Spikers’ Turf. People keep asking me. I have nothing wrong with Ateneo. Ateneo is very happy that I got another job and for the record, I don’t have Ateneo’s problem,” he said Almadro after Petro Gazz lost 18-25, 20-25, 22-25 to Creamline on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The veteran coach, who also had a double stint while still coaching the Ateneo and Cignal men’s programs at the Spikers’ Turf, said he accepted the job offered by Petro Gazz to support his family and share his knowledge with the Angels.

“Of course, we have to secure our family, our finances. That’s one point. Secondly, we have to show our talent and wisdom to others,” said Almadro. “Petro Gazz welcomed me very well. Ateneo welcomed me very much. So now we work together. We have a good relationship. Petro Gazz and Ateneo are very happy for me.

“Can you ask again from these two organizations, two institutions that really want to help me grow as a mentor and a teacher. It’s sad that people always ask how I manage my time. Well, I’m not the only person with two jobs. We have to protect the family,” he said.

Almadro, who led Ateneo to the UAAP Season 81 title in 2019, said he will have no problem coaching both teams when the college league opens.

“I’m not the only coach who trains professional teams and college teams. I don’t want to mention names. I don’t want to name schools. I don’t have to name clubs. But I’m not just coaches for college teams and professional teams,” he said. “Yung [ibang] team too. The origin [Choco Mucho] I don’t know, that’s it. (Another team and also my former team.) I like Ateneo and they like me. I like Petro Gazz and he supports me.

Now, Almadro is focused on solving the problems of the end of the game against Creamline after standing valiantly in the last two sets.

“In the second and third, I think we started correctly, we just didn’t finish strongly. We couldn’t expand our advantage,” said the new Petro Gazz. “We just have to finish strong, have the attitude and grit to finish the set and finish it right. I told my players a while ago that we are going to face a strong Creamline. I think it’s a fire blessing again for me and the team. So going to the next game I I think we will be okay.

MJ Phillips, the top middle blocker in the Reinforced Conference, is out with a shoulder injury.

Almadro said Phillips is fine, but “he doesn’t want to rush a little injury that just needs strengthening.”

Almadro is just happy to be part of the Angels, who are mature and hardworking.

“She’s a grown girl. She works so hard. I couldn’t ask for more [more]. He is a down to earth person who is willing to work hard and willing to play and sacrifice. I am happy that they received me well and I am happy that I am here,” he said. “He helped me grow and we will help each other.”

Almadro will have an interesting second match as Petro Gazz tries to bounce back against former team Choco Mucho on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan.

Read Next

For suggestions, complaints, or questions, please contact us.