A former collegiate player for the DLSU Lady Spikers, Coach Regine Diego, was appointed as the new head coach of the F2 Cargo Movers just this year, making her the first woman in her position in the pro leagues. Early after graduation, Coach Regine showed her coaching prowess when she joined and took charge of National University-Nazareth School and led them to a sweeping championship. Additionally, she has also led CALABARZON’s Girls’ Volleyball Team, represented by De La Salle Lipa’s Team, to a championship in 2017 and the NCR’s Girls' Volleyball Team, represented by NU-Nazareth School’s team in Palarong Pambansa.
Her debut as the head coach of the F2 Logistics team has been fruitful, as she led the team to a bronze medal finish in the All-Filipino Conference, fulfilling everyone’s high expectations by giving better results compared to the previous two years' zero podium finishes. For coach Regine, her first coaching foray in the professional league has been a roller coaster ride. She said that there were moments during the conference that were completely fulfilling, but there were also moments that almost made her give up. But instead of giving up, she persisted. Not just for herself but also for the countless women who were not given the breakthrough that she had. "I’m happy that I’m the first woman. But I need to embrace it because I want women to be here. Not just me; I don’t want just to be the only one. I want more women here," she said.
It is still uncertain whether the coaching setup will remain for F2 in the invitationals in June following veteran coach Ramil De Jesus’ return after months of hiatus. For now, however, Coach Regine is just grateful for the opportunity to prove that a woman coach can thrive in the professional leagues and is looking forward to what the future holds.
#WeGotThis
