Shaq delos Santos is returning as the UST Tigresses coach in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas made a surprise announcement Tuesday night, naming Shaq Delos Santos as the new head coach of the Golden Tigresses in the UAAP.

Delos Santos replaces Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes, who will stay with the Tigresses program in a new role.

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The move marks a homecoming for Delos Santos, who last coached UST to a UAAP women’s volleyball title in Season 72 in 2010.

Despite the coaching change, the university emphasized that Reyes will remain part of the volleyball program. He has been appointed as Program Director for the UST women’s and girls’ volleyball teams, while retaining his position as head coach of the girls’ squad.

“We extend our gratitude to Coach Kung Fu for his invaluable service to the team,”  UST-IPEA said in a statement.

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The Golden Tigresses are coming off a 9-5 campaign in UAAP Season 87, where they reached the Final Four but fell short against La Salle.

Since taking over in 2015, Reyes led UST to six Final Four appearances, including two Finals stints in 2019 and 2024.

“Thank you UST IPEA for another wonderful opportunity and Fr. Rodel Cansancio and congratulations, Coach Cesael Delos Santos. Let’s go Season 88. Go USTe,” Reyes wrote in a social media post following the announcement.