Laniog debuts as Cargo Movers head coach

MANILA, Philippines — All eyes will be on Arnold Laniog when he makes his coaching debut for F2 Logistics in the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix Saturday at the Sta. Rosa Sports Center in Sta. Rosa City.

 

A former beach volleyball stalwart and champion coach for the men’s team of College of Saint Benilde in the NCAA, Laniog is coming in with tons of pressure and expectations, especially since the Cargo Movers are the reigning champions in the import-flavored conference.

 

Although the Cargo Movers lost the core of Kianna Dy, Dawn Macandili and Majoy Baron to De La Salle University, they remain solid as Kennedy Bryan of the US and Most Valuable Player Maria Jose Perez of Venezuela will be back together with stalwarts Aby Marano, Kim Fajardo and the returning Ara Galang.

 

The Cargo Movers also added Lourdes Clemente at the middle and activated fresh recruit Michelle Morente, making them a force to be reckoned with in this prestigious women’s club tournament.

 

Laniog said Ramil de Jesus still remains on top of the Cargo Movers’ campaign and he is just serving as his alter ego in the duration of the Grand Prix.

 

“There’s a lot of expectations, especially since we know how good this team is,” said the 35-year-old Laniog, who was given the marching order by de Jesus following his NCAA campaign last month.

 

“We’re still using the system of coach Ramil. I’ve been attending the training for the past two weeks and coach Ramil is still very hands-on with the team. It just so happened that there are days where La Salle and F2 (Logistics) will play at the same time so coach Ramil needed somebody to assist him.”

 

Laniog will get his baptism of fire against Serbian coach Moro Branislav when F2 Logistics clashes with Cocolife.

 

It’s going to be a tough battle as the Asset Managers have the materials to compete with the presence of imports Sara Klisura and Taylor Milton as well as Honey Royse Tubino, Denden Lazaro, Tina Salak and Nerissa Bautista.

 

But Laniog refuses to get intimidated.

 

“We will be ready,” he said. “We have trained long and hard for this tournament and we can’t wait to start competing to defend our title.”