By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense John Philip “JP” Yude has been appointed as the new head coach of Adamson University Lady Falcons for the upcoming UAAP women’s seniors volleyball action.

The Negros Occidental’s Hinigaran-native’s appointment was announced by the school on Tuesday, June 13, less than a week after the Lady Falcons dismissed former head coach Jerry Yee.

Yude was a former volleyball standout at Hinigaran National High School before he was recruited to join the Adamson University men’s volleyball team and later be named as team captain.

The Negrense volleyball player then transitioned to coaching as he steered Adamson University Baby Falcons to a runner-up finish in the UAAP Season 85 girls’ volleyball recently.

Former Lady Falcons standout Shiela Pineda is also returning to her second home as she has been included in the coaching staff as one of the assistants along with another former Adamson player, Leo Miranda.

Yude will have a tough task ahead of him as he will hope to score a follow-up or an improvement to the Lady Falcons’ third place finish in UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball earlier this year.

The Lady Falcons were forced to part ways with Yee after just one UAAP season as he accepted a head coaching job for the Farm Fresh Foxies in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

It was said that Yee’s firing was due to “conflict of interest” since the Lady Falcons sponsor Akari also has their own squad in the PVL and will become opponents of the Janica Lao-managed Foxies.

Yude will still have a competitive roster for the upcoming UAAP Season with veterans Louie Romero and Lorene Toring deciding to return for their final year of collegiate eligibility.

Also still there for the Lady Falcons were former high school standouts Trisha Tubu and Kate Santiago, Lucille Almonte and Barbie Jamili, who are set to make their UAAP debut early next year./ASC, WDJ