Man on a Mission: Coach Oliver Almadro and the Secret to His Success
Coach Oliver Almadro has 23 volleyball championships under his belt (14 as head coach and nine as assistant coach) spanning both collegiate and professional leagues. When asked about the secret to his success, he points to a side of him that many of us do not know.
Better known as Coach O, Coach Oliver Almadro has amassed so many championship wins that many in the sports world consider him a miracle worker. Yet, the proclaimed miracle worker points to some miracles in his own life as the reason for his success.
As a child, Coach O always loved serving in Mass as a reader or as part of the choir. It was not until a special day during the Feast of the Black Nazarene that he officially became a devotee. “I didn’t participate in the feast before kasi para sa akin waste of time. Ilang oras kang pipila para mahawakan yung image. Pero may isang time, pumayag ako. Ang haba ng pila sa Quirino Grandstand pero may nakita akong lalaki. Tinatawag niya ako at tinuturo doon sa mas mabilis na pila. Sinundan ko siya, at laking gulat ko, wala pang 30 minutes naka-touch na ako sa image ng Poong Nazareno,” he says.
The start of his devotion came at a crucial time in his career. “Pabalik na ako ng Ateneo. I felt that I have to prove myself na worthy ako sa Ateneo,” he says. Coach O recalls that all he prayed for upon touching the image of the Black Nazarene was for the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team to reach the finals. “Paabutin Niyo naman kami sa finals,” was his whispered prayer. Season 76 saw Coach O pulling off a miracle as the Ateneo Blue Eagles clinched a spot in the finals for the first time in more than three decades.
“After that year, tuloy-tuloy na. I offered my work to Him and for His greater glory,” says the veteran coach. He would then steer the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team to three consecutive championships from Seasons 77 to 79.
Aside from being a celebrated sports mentor, Coach O is also a devoted family man. He was already blessed with three sons, but for many years, he yearned for a daughter. His wish was not granted until after nine years on September 8, Mama Mary’s birthday. “That day, it was the first communion of my youngest son, and my wife was scheduled for an ultrasound. I could not be present for either because we were playing in the finals for UAAP Beach Volleyball. I was still coaching for NU then,” he recalls. At the end of the day, Coach O would have two prayers granted. “Birthday ni Mama Mary pero siya ang nagbigay ng gifts sa akin—iyong championship ko on that day, and the answered prayer request na magkaroon ng baby girl.”
Throughout the many blessings in his career, Coach O has made it his mission to integrate his faith in sports. “My purpose is to spread His message. I always say, ‘Lord, make me [Your] instrument through volleyball’,” he says. The distinguished coach is known to quote Bible verses in his team huddles and attend Mass with the athletes under his stewardship. “Hindi lang puro physical, your soul needs food also. I want my team to grow in their faith,” he says.
Coach O’s unique method of relating the Word of God to volleyball has carried the Blue Eagles and the Lady Eagles through the best and the worst of times. He recalls one team building session with the men’s team many years ago. “We had a Bible sharing about Jesus calming the storm. His disciples were terrified because the boat was sinking, but Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Why are you afraid? Do you have no faith?’” From this Bible story, the team drew “faith, trust, and courage”—the mantra that all of Coach O’s teams have consistently taken to heart.
This mantra would prove to be pivotal in the Ateneo Lady Eagles’ campaign in 2019. During Game 3 of the championship series, he quoted Ephesians 6:10 in the pre-game huddle: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might!” Coach O recounts his reminder to the Lady Eagles, “Sino ba ang makakatalo sa strength of the Lord? Kaya ganoon na lang ang confidence ko. Kahit anong sabihin ng iba, alam ko tayo ang magcha-champion.” As he predicted, the Lady Eagles would go on to clinch the Season 81 championship in three straight sets.
Coach O points out that his strong faith is coupled with an equally strong training program built on hard work. “I always tell my players that you have to be worthy of your blessing. You are in Ateneo, and that is a gift from God. You should work hard in order to be worthy and to also give back,” he says. Additionally, the volleyball mentor attributes all accolades to his faith, saying, “I’m just a coach who really loves the Lord. I don’t see myself as overly religious or a special devotee, but I accept that everything that happens to me is because of Him.”
With the numerous times that Coach O has delivered championship titles, some of his wards have named him “the Goldmaker.” He reveals, “Hindi ako magaling na player noong college. Hindi rin ako sikat na player. But my purpose in life is to make champions out of athletes.” With a celebrated career built on a clear sense of his mission and a strong faith in God, this Goldmaker undoubtedly carries a gift more valuable than gold.
For more news and stories on Loyola Schools, visit http://www.ateneo.edu/ls/loyola-schools-bulletin.
