A 35-year-old volleyball coach was shot dead inside a gymnasium in Barangay Bago Gallera, Davao City, on Thursday evening, November 12, in a killing that has sent shockwaves through the local volleyball community and raised concerns over the safety of public sports facilities.
The victim, identified by fellow coaches and members of the volleyball community as Coach Randy Maravillas, also known as “Coach R,” was reportedly wrapping up a volleyball training session with students at Suhai Village Gymnasium when the shooting occurred at around 6:30 p.m.
According to gym caretaker Matsias Mancao, who was identified in initial reports by the alias “Mat-mat,” an unidentified assailant entered the gym and shot the coach in the head before fleeing. Other reports indicated that the suspects may have been riding in tandem, although their identities and exact number have yet to be officially established.
Maravillas, a resident of Barangay Dumoy, was reportedly killed at the very place where he regularly trained and mentored young volleyball players.
About 15 minutes after the shooting, the victim’s mother arrived at the gym and reportedly asked the caretaker to have the area cleaned, light candles, and place flowers in tribute to her son.
The Baliok Police Station has launched an investigation into the killing, with authorities reportedly reviewing available closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify those responsible. Investigators are also working to determine the motive behind the shooting.
Davao City Police Office Director Police Colonel Peter B. Madria personally visited Suhai Village Gymnasium together with Baliok Police Station Chief Police Major Fil Anthony Manlatican to inspect the crime scene and monitor the investigation.
A major loss to Davao’s volleyball community
Beyond the circumstances of his death, Maravillas’ killing has drawn an outpouring of grief from fellow coaches, athletes, referees, and members of the Suhai Village community, many of whom described him as an influential figure in Davao’s volleyball scene.
Tributes posted by fellow coaches identified him as a multi-talented volleyball mentor who had served as a coach in the Palarong Pambansa. He was remembered not only for his coaching abilities but also for his contributions as a referee and his dedication to developing young athletes.
Those who worked with him said his influence extended from elementary and high school competitions to the collegiate level, helping players develop their skills and pursue opportunities in the sport.
For many of his former players and colleagues, his contribution went beyond championships, medals, and tournament victories. They credited him with instilling discipline, confidence, determination, and a deeper appreciation for volleyball among the athletes he mentored.
The Suhai Village community also condemned the killing, emphasizing that a gymnasium should remain a safe environment where residents, particularly young people, can develop their talents, build friendships, and participate in sports without fear of violence.
The community appealed to Davao City officials to recognize the importance of safety in public sports facilities, saying the shooting was particularly disturbing because it happened in a place intended to promote sportsmanship, unity, and positive engagement among residents.
Calls for accountability
The killing has prompted renewed calls for justice from the volleyball community, which described the attack as brutal and unacceptable.
Fellow coaches stressed that violence has no place in sports or in any community, while expressing hope that investigators would identify and hold the perpetrators accountable.
For the athletes he trained, the referees he worked alongside, and the colleagues who shared his commitment to volleyball, Maravillas’ death represents the loss of a mentor whose influence reached far beyond the playing court.
As police continue their investigation, the circumstances behind the shooting remain unclear. Authorities have yet to publicly identify a suspect or establish a motive.
The volleyball community, meanwhile, is left mourning a coach whose legacy, according to those he inspired, will live on through the athletes he helped shape.