Akari Chargers libero Bang Pineda answered the call to return back home in San Marcelino.
More than a month ago, Pineda was tapped to be an assistant coach for the rebuilding Adamson University Lady Falcons, joining head coach JP Yude and co-assistant Leo Miranda, former Adamsonians themselves.
“How did you end up being the Lady Falcons assistant coach?” Akari Sports asked Pineda.
According to the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Open Conference Best Digger, heads from both Adamson and Akari thought that true blues are the right people to man the sidelines for the Lady Falcons and that they want her to share her valuable on and off-court knowledge as she has experience playing not only in the PVL, but also in the global stage.
“I was told na the Adamson officials together with the Akari Organization as management agreed that the right people for the job at this time are Adamsonians that is why they approached me to help Coach Yude rebuild the team,” Pineda replied, “They want me to bring my grit, work ethic, and experience to this young group,” she added.
On her end, the former Adamson standout just wanted to return the favor to the school that believed in and opened many doors for her after college.
“More than anything, this is my way of giving back kasi sa totoo lang, wala naman ako sa propesyon na ‘to kung walang Adamson na nagtiwala sa kakayahan ko,” Pineda acknowledged.
Now that she has her hands full as she juggles her time as a Charger and an assistant coach, the defensive specialist stressed that her focus is still on her Akari duties, but vowed to live out her passion for and draw inspiration from coaching Adamson’s young crew.
“Of course, top priority pa rin ang playing pero ibang hugot ang meron sa coaching eh. Dito, para siya sa passion mo. Masarap feeling magturo kaya dun ako huhugot ng extra strength,” Pineda said.
Pineda together and the rest of the staff led by chief tactician Yude already steered the revamping Lady Falcons to the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals Finals — an impressive feat with just a little more than a month into training.
However, Pineda downplayed expectations for the Lady Falcons as they are still far off from where they want to be. One thing is for sure though as per the Akari libero: the San Marcelino-based squad will come out prepared in UAAP Season 86.
“Wala na lang muna sigurong assessment or hype. Basta sama-sama namin pagtatrabahuhan para may laban kami pagdating ng UAAP,” she said.
