When the dream you thought you’d be chasing had been walking beside you your whole life, you’ll find its footsteps leading you to where you were destined to be.
This University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88, a new face was spotted on the bench of the University of the Philippines (UP) Men’s Volleyball Team (MVT): assistant coach Hannah Nagtalon.
From setting up attacks during her athlete days to setting school programs in place as a teacher, the new UP MVT assistant coach is set to forward a stronger UP Fight.
The UAAP scene may be a new territory, but Nagtalon was no rookie.
Same dream, different path
Discovering sports was easy with a family full of athletes. Following in one of her brothers’ footsteps, she eventually joined the high school volleyball team as a setter at Colegio de San Lorenzo.
Growing into the sport, she continued down the path of the athletic life when she entered UP as a Bachelor of Sports Science freshman. However, her dedication to academics soon overpowered her commitment to the sport, prompting her to take a step back from competitive volleyball.
“I decided to leave [the varsity team] kasi n’ong time na ‘yon, ‘yong mindset ko was fifty-fifty on [whether I should stay in] competitive volleyball or [focus on] my academics. But when I put my mind into something, gusto ko ko-commit-an ko talaga,” Nagtalon shared.
Little did she know that the court would pull her right back in.
In her third year in college, Nagtalon learned that her high school team’s volleyball coach transferred to a different school, pushing her and former teammates to step into the role.
It was during this side quest that she realized how fulfilled she felt with the job.
“There was so much satisfaction in sharing what you know,” she said. “[Ang] alam ko lang [was that] I wanted to be able to impart something that I have learned from the sport unto someone else.”
Immediately after finding her passion, she ventured into the profession after college. Nagtalon became a teacher at the Meridian International Learning Experience, a school with no sports program.
But in her first year of teaching, Nagtalon had the opportunity to help open one. And so she started with volleyball.
She taught the sport to eighth-grade students until they were able to play for the school’s intramurals, making her volleyball start-up project a success.
By her second year of teaching, Nagtalon was promoted to subject coordinator — a big responsibility for a newcomer but nothing that she can’t handle. But during this time, the school opened a sports program that included volleyball, swimming, table tennis and track and field.
Building a program and a team from the ground up was no easy feat, but as a former athlete herself, she believed in the capabilities of the youngsters she discovered. Firm in her vision for the school’s sports program, Nagtalon opened a discussion with the administrators to begin building a volleyball varsity team.
Through the years, the team would grow under coach Nagtalon’s leadership. And that would be her first official gig as a professional in the field, coaching young boys and girls who loved the sport as much as she did.
In teaching volleyball, she developed the athlete-centric approach and built emotional connections with her students. She believes that her relationship with them is grounded in their learning process.
“Ano kailangan nila matutunan, how can I teach this more clearly to them in their language,” the UP MVT assistant coach shared. “You get to understand how they learn best, what makes them think and what makes them work.”
“Being able to apply that level of emotional intelligence [ang] binibitbit ko everywhere I go.”
But the learning process wasn’t just for the students. It was for her, too.
Full rotation moment
While teaching volleyball in different schools, Nagtalon also joined the Heroes Volleyball Program, one of the biggest volleyball camps in the Philippines, to learn more about the sport. She was later appointed as a coach for recreational adults, former athletes and young athletes.
Her years of leadership, coupled with continuous learning were what developed her character as a coach.
Being part of the team since May 2025, Nagtalon has grown into the role. She adjusted to the team and formed dynamics with UP MVT head coach Carlo Cabatingan.
But along with the honor of leading the UP team came doubtful comments on her arrival.
“There were people who were questioning why he [Coach Carlo] got a female assistant coach. ‘Tsaka ‘yong physical capabilities ko were questioned, [including] my ability to discipline them and be authoritative,” she shared.
Despite doubtful comments, Nagtalon focused on what she could offer to the team. The assistant coach stepped up when coach Carlo was feeling unwell during the UP MVT’s first round matchup against last season’s semifinalists, De La Salle University Green Spikers, where they won in four sets.
With a background and character like Nagtalon’s, no challenge is too big, especially if it is for something close to her heart.
“This is the best place that I can give back to the university. ‘Di naman ako magiging who I am in my profession kung ‘di ako na-train ng UP,” she said. “More than anything, na-e-enjoy ko ‘yong being able to be part of something bigger than myself.”
Finding a fulfilling purpose was a long road of discovery and learning but walking alongside her passion surely made the journey easier.
She had once set the ball aside to pursue her studies, but for Coach Hannah Nagtalon, she was led right back to where it all began — not just to the sport she loved but to the role she was meant to play.
