Lahteenmaki steps in as UP coach

University of the Philippines assistant coach Aleksi Lahteenmaki will handle coaching duties for the Fighting Maroons for the remainder of UAAP Season 88 as head coach Fabio Menta takes leave due to health concerns.

The UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development announced the development on Wednesday after the Fighting Maroons’ loss to Adamson University.

Lahteenmaki was already on the sideline handling coaching duties for the Diliman-based squad during the match at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The UP OASD said Menta will remain the head coach of the women’s volleyball team despite stepping away for the rest of the season.

“We hope Coach Fabio feels better sooner than later, so for our last game this season, let’s just all support coach Aleksi and the rest of our girls in trying to get us a season-ending win,” said Bo Perasol in a statement.

UP’s coaching change came on the same day the Fighting Maroons were eliminated from Final Four contention, ending the school’s bid to break a 10-year semifinal drought.

The team dropped to 5-8 after absorbing its eighth loss in 13 games.

Despite the setback, UP veteran Nina Ytang said the Fighting Maroons are still determined to end their campaign on a positive note.

“Tuloy pa rin. Tuloy ang laban, tuloy ang buhay,” said Ytang, who scored four points against the Soaring Falcons.

“Susubukan pa rin naming ipanalo yung last game namin.”

UP will close its Season 88 campaign on Sunday against University of Santo Tomas.

Lahteenmaki brings winning experience from the local collegiate scene, as he also serves as an assistant coach for Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

He was part of the Letran coaching staff under head coach Mayeth Carolino during the Intramuros-based school’s title run in NCAA Season 101.

That championship ended Letran’s 28-year title drought in women’s volleyball.

Lahteenmaki now takes over a UP side looking to send off seniors Nina Ytang, Irah Jaboneta, and Joan Monares with a victory in their final collegiate game.