Kianne Olango takes challenge of rebuilding UP team in stride following successful high school career

Expect Kianne Olango to try her hardest to lift the UP Fighting Maroons, as she brings her experience from a highly-successful program in high school with the NU-Nazareth School to Diliman.

Heading into the UP program after an MVP campaign with the Lady Bullpups, Olango now has to go through the birth pains of a rebuild as the Fighting Maroons compete under the new management of head coach Benson Bocboc.

Rather than looking at it as a downside, Olango is happy to have more challenges, which she hopes will be key to her personal growth. Still in her rookie year, she said that she’s excited to take the necessary steps to help the Fighting Maroons grow.

“Siguro gusto ko po talaga yung nagl-learn and parang adventure po [ito] sakin. So, I know naman na ano talaga, mahaba pa yung lalakbayin namin sa college and I know we can do it,” said Olango after scoring 15 points in her UAAP debut.

[RELATED: UP Fighting Maroons survive 11-strong UE Lady Warriors to win 5-set thriller in UAAP Season 87 opener]

Even as UP took the win against UE on Saturday afternoon, Olango said that she still had a lot of adjusting to do — especially when it comes to getting used to the bright lights of the UAAP, and being more sure of herself even when defenses get their way with her.

“Sa first game ko po, talagang naramdaman ko yung kaba kasi iba yung venue na ganito kalaki tapos maraming audience, and siguro sa mga next games, kailangan ko po maging matapang at matalino,” said Olango.

“[Yung lessons ko rin na na-learn,] siguro yung ano talaga, yung pagiging matapang and pag balik from syempre… na-off talaga ako kanina kasi puro block, I have to work again tomorrow sa training,” she added.

[RELATED: Benson Bocboc admits UP withered under UAAP Season 87 bright lights in near-meltdown against UE]

Still, there isn’t any shortage of goals from the young gun as she set herself up with pretty high standards in her first year.

With the Fighting Maroons missing in action from the Final Four since UAAP Season 78, Olango wants to turn things around, if not for her then for the sake of her older teammates.

“Pinaka-goal ko po talaga ay mag-Final Four kami. So, para sa mga ates po namin, na matagal na pong gustong mag-Final Four and that’s my number one goal,” she said.

Olango and the rest of the Fighting Maroons return to action quick on Wednesday, February 19, playing against the FEU Lady Tamaraws at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.