By MARK REY MONTEJO
Kungfu Reyes is set to impart his knowledge from España to Mendiola after he was tapped as San Beda’s women’s volleyball coach, the school announced Saturday, June 21.
Two weeks after being replaced as coach of University of Santo Tomas by Shaq Delos Santos, Reyes, 44, made a decision to succeed Edgar Barroga and interim Joshua Noda to guide the Lady Red Spikers.
Despite having another role in San Beda, Reyes, a once top playmaker and coach of the Philippine Army Troopers in the Spikers’ Turf, will remain as program director of UST’s women’s volleyball.
While serving his mission of bolstering the grassroots here in the country, Reyes guided the Tigresses for 10 years in the UAAP where he led UST to two Finals (2019, ‘24) and five Final Four appearances (2017, ‘19, ‘23, ‘24, ‘25).
Reyes was also notable for discovering and nurturing talents as he once handled the likes of past collegiate superstars in Alyssa Valdez, Kim Fajardo, Dindin and Jaja Santiago (now Sachi Minowa), and present aces in Angge Poyos, Cassie Carballo, and Reg Jurado, to list a few.
“Welcome to the Lion’s Den, Coach Kungfu!” the school wrote on its social media post.
Before Reyes arrival, San Beda was previously held by Noda who led the Mendiola-based squad to a 4-14 win-loss run at eighth spot in the NCAA Season 100.
It was also the fifth time that the Lady Red Spikers will have a new shotcaller after falling short for a semifinal berth – the last time they qualified in the said round was in Season 95.
