Varsity Sports Updates- 20th Fr. Martin Summer Cup: 16 college teams are joining, Boyet Fernandez to coach SBC Red Lions for first time in tourney’s pre-season offering?

March 19, 2014,

11 a.m.,

Wednesday,

The Original Savory Restaurant,

Earnshaw St.,

Sampaloc,

Manila

Coach JB Sison entered the dining area of the restaurant quite late. But the meeting of coaches and organizers of the 20^th Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament have not started yet.

 

He had an air of cheerfulness with him as he shared rice, fried chicken and pancit with those around him in the table set for the meeting.

 

Why? Well, this is because he won’t be handling the Red Lions this time around in the senior division of this cagefest which is considered as the longest running pre-season tournament in collegiate and secondary basketball in Metro Manila.

 

Coach Boyet Fernandez, who has shied away from handling the Red Lions during the off-season will be.

(coach Boyet Fernandez in action. photo sourced from Pinoyexchange.com).

 

Well, this will be a first for coach Boyet, this is what I was thinking.

 

You see, Fernandez has always relegated the coaching chores to his assistants during the three previous tournaments of the Fr. Martin Cup in 2013, and ever since he took over in December 2012.

 

He said he wanted his assistants to gain confidence in calling the shots for the Red Lions during their pre-season sorties.

 

This was what he told me last year when he let coach JB call the shots starting on Jan. 20, 2013 during one of the games of the 9th Fr. Martin Cup Collegiate Open basketball tournament at the Trinity University of Asia gymnasium in Quezon City.

 

 

–         Blast from the Past

Fernandez, who had just been appointed in the last week of Dec. 2012,  watching closely from the bench as the  Red Lions survived a late University of the Philippines Maroons comeback, 63-61.

 

The Red Lions, with Baser Amer and Van Abatayo making 11 apiece,  picked up their second win in three games in Group A, and stayed in contention for a seat in the quarterfinals.

 

Francis Abarcar sunk the winning basket, a split free throw in the last 6.4 seconds to bail the Red Lions out of trouble and as UP rallied from seven points down in the last two minutes.

 

His basket came after the Maroons threatened, 61-62, off a putback by Raul Soyud with 7.3 seconds left.

 

After the game, he told me his views and plans for the Red Lions at that time.

 

He  said he does not have to look far and outside the school to find talented players who will suit up for the team in the coming 89th season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.

 

At that time, he felt that team B has enough talents to fill up any void which three veterans will leave behind when they graduate this March.

 

He wanted three spots  to be filled. It was to left  left vacant when senior cagers Jake Pascual, Carmelo Lim and Anjo Caram bid the team farewell in two months time.

 

“Tinitingnan ko iyung Team B. Maraming players na galing high school,” said Fernandez, who was contented at just  running the team’s practices  at that time.

 

During that period of transition, Fernandez was just leaving the coaching chores to JB in ongoing off-season campaigns.

 

Fernandez noted that most of the players in Team B have lots of championship experience, and after seeing action for the San Beda Red Cubs, who finished last season’s  junior division with their fourth straight crown.

 

He feels that with their experience, the Red Lions will not have a difficult time when they seek a fourth straight senior championship in the coming season.

 

Van Abatayo, a great scorer who came from the Red Cubs team two years ago, are among the leading candidates to make it to the senior squad, along with Roldan Sara and Michol Sorela.

 

He is also eyeing two returning cagers, the Semerad twins. Anthony and David Semerad are back after a year of unproductivity while with the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

 

Fernandez, who also came in with Adonis Tierra as one of his assistant coaches,  is hopeful that Anthony has recovered from an injured Achilles tendon, and David is in good shape, considering his 12-month layoff.

 

And that  Sunday, Fernandez got an idea of how the strengths and weaknesses of the Red Lions when he watched them play. in the 9th Fr. Martin Cup tournament.

 

And so  JB Sison, continued to handle the Red Lions for some time, and until he (JB) went back to the Red Cubs, who were four-peat champs at the time in after the 88^th National Collegiate Athletic Association season.

 

And so  Fernandez later went on to make his his debut as coach when the FilOil-Flying V cagefest that year.

-Fast Forward

This time, things will be different for the Red Lions as total of 27 collegiate and high school squads are seeing action in the 20th the Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament this Saturday, April 5.

 

Commissioner Robert de la Rosa bared that sixteen collegiate men’s teams  and the national youth under-17 quintet are listed in the senior’s division while  10 high school  boys squads are entered

 

They will vie for the best positions  competition gets under way at the St. Placid gymnasium inside the San Beda College campus in Mendiola, Manila.

 

Two collegiate finalists, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers and the St. Clare Saints are among those which have signified their intentions to join the tournament,  which  is considered as the country’s oldest pre-season collegiate cagefest.

 

The Growling Tigers and Saints will be in the company of the Ateneo-B Blue Eagles, the RP Youth under-17 squad, Faith-Batangas, Centro Escolar University-Malolos, Arellano University and Emilio Aguinaldo College.

 

Also entered are Far Eastern University, Lyceum Philippines University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, San Sebastian College-A, San Sebastian College-B, and Metropolitan College.

 

The defending titlist San Beda Red Cubs will be handled by coach Boyet.

 

And they are entered with   UAAP finalist National University in the junior division with Lyceum-A, Lyceum-B, San Sebastian-A, EAC-ICA, UST, Chiang Kai Shek Dragons, Adamson and San Sebastian-B.

 

The UST Growling Tigers is expected to plunge into action with Segundo “Bong” de la Cruz III debuting as their coach, and in their bid to prepare for action in the coming 77th UAAP season.

 

The Saints are getting for their campaigns in the NAASCU and the NCRAA, will also around with the Growling Tigers, and are among the favorites with reigning Division 2 champions, the Ateneo-B Blue Eagles.

 

Last year, the NU Bulldogs came of with  63-47 swamping of the University of Perpetual Help-A Altas for the senior crown, while San Beda Red Cubs subdued the Letran Squires, 72-63, to retain the junior crown.

 

If coach Boyet lives up to his word and indeed handles the Red Lions, the coming 20^th season of the Fr. Martin Summer Cup will have very interesting games to follow in the coming months.

 

 

Sportswriter’s notebook- April Fool’s Day: Will this be the day for new UE Red Warriors coach?

March 28, 2014,

Friday,

3 p.m.,

Rizal Memorial Sports Complex,

Vito Cruz,

Manila

 

April 1 is April Fool’s Day.

 

On this day, many pranks will most likely happen.

 

But, not for Segundo “Bong” de la Cruz III, Leo Austria and, probably not for whoever gets appointed as the new head of the UE Red Warriors.

 

For coach Bong, this is when interim coach Estong Ballesteros’ contract with the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers end, he officialy assumes his post.

 

For Leo Austria, this is the day that he will formally tackle his job with the Sports Development office of the Ateneo de Manila University.

 

As for the UE Red Warrior, this will mostly be the start of the month of changes for the roster, and how they will tackle season 77 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

 

School officials are looking for a  new coach.

 

This is because they just fired David “Boycie” Zamar.

(former coach David “Boycie” Zamar- photo sourced from Pinoyexchange.com).

Top university officials just made the decision to do so, according to team manager Carmelita Mateo in a statement which I got from a Facebook message coming from the UE external relations office.

 

They felt that Zamar was not committed enough to handle the Warriors this season.

 

“We feel that the coach must be the one who will handle the team full time,” said Mateo, who hinted that a new coach will be named in the coming week.

 

Zamar  has recently moved on from being one of the assistant coaches of San Miguel to Barangay Ginebra in the PBA.

 

Two years ago, he took over  from Jerry Codiñera as head coach on an interim basis, and it happened midway in the 75^th season.

 

Officials said they have yet to name their choices for coach.

 

The Living Legend Roberto “Sonny” Jaworski, already considered to be a commissioner is amongst the top choices if sources are to be believed.

 

But the other possible choices reportedly include Jimmy Mariano, Nat Canson, Luis Palaganas and Derrick Pumaren.

Then, there’s Derrick’s brother Dindo Pumaren.

 

There’s former Letran coach Louie Alas and  former UE coach Lawrence Chongson.

 

UE athletics chief Rodrigo Roque is tight-lipped about this, and said the top management will have a final say.

 

Under Zamar last season, the Red Warriors managed to finish sixth, and tied with the Ateneo Blue Eagles with the same 7-7 win-loss record.

 

Two seasons ago, they were tied in seventh with the Adamson Falcons, wielding a 3-11 slate.

 

Whatever happens to the UE Red Warriors on April 1, April Fool’s Day, is no joke to me.

 

Either they will have a new coach, or school officials will still deliberate on their choices.

 

 

Sportswriter’s Notebook- Segundo “Bong” de la Cruz III: Close Encounters with a Future UST Growling Tigers Coach

March 27, 2014,

Thursday,

6:58.28 a.m.

Somewhere in EDSA Rotonda,

Pasay City

A tone which signals the arrival a text message. It was coming  from my aging cellphone. It  catches my attention and rouses me from my sleep.

 

It came from high ranking sports official from the University of Santo Tomas.

 

This is the second time I was roused from sleep following my mother’s unexpected arrival earlier in the morning at 4 a.m.

 

“Fr. Rector (Herminio Dagohoy) already appointed coach Bong de la Cruz to be our men’s basketball coach,” says the message.

 

After breakfast with my wife and visiting members of my family was finished, done and over with, and soon as I am alone, I finally begin efforts to communicate with coach Segundo de le Cruz III.

 

Segundo is the name which his former high school coach Charlie Dy got me familiar with.

 

More than two decades ago, I was familiar with Segundo the point guard, not Bong the coach.

 

(Segundo “Bong” de la Cruz III in action- photo sourced from Jerome Ascano, Spin.ph ** manythanks).

 

But, nevertheless, coach Bong got me reacquainted with him one Sunday in  January 2014 , and while  while he was strutting his way around  the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, where he helping out Enderun College in one of their intercollegiate sorties.

 

He gave his number , told me a thing or two about the coaching changes at UST, and advised me to keep in touch, coz something may go down by March.

 

I never forgot his advise, even though that in the back of my mind, I felt he would never be the coach of the UST Tigers.

 

Since then, I have been bumping into Sunday after Sunday, after Sunday, and until probably until the first Sunday of March, in the parking, in his car as he drives, and with Enderun players and their coach Pippo Noundou, if I remember.

 

And all throughout, he was the first to almost always initiate contact, a brief hellos, a handshake, a high five, and a goodbye, all in a span of probably a minute or two.

 

So, that was how easy it was for me to get in touch with Bong that morning.

 

He was hesitant to talk at first, saying that officials of UST have yet to talk to him.

 

But when I told him about the messages I have received, he opens up, finally.

 

He says doesn’t have much to expect from the present roster.

 

They are same usual guys which played last season.

 

In all there are  Seven mainstays and two players returning from injury who are available.

 

And they will form the core of the UST Growling Tigers as they prepare for the 77th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.

Segundo, as coach Charlie used to fondly call him whenever I watch the games of the UST Golden Nuggets (the former name of the Tiger Cubs), talks briefly about his team.

 

But he expressed surprise.

 

Like he never expected to be the head coach.

 

 

“Wala halos bago sa team. May mga babalik. As for the rookies, we are still recruiting,” said de la Cruz.

 

–         Blast from the Past

 

He was  a point guard during his high school and collegiate years.

 

But the members of his high school was stuff of legends.

 

Dela Cruz  used to be the star point guard of the  UST  Golden Nuggets  in high school, and his team gained quite a reputation. I feel that he was one of the best during his time, just like two other sparkplugs, Renzie Aranzaso and Aries Dimaunahan(who came a decade later).

 

It was a junior squad known for its tall lineup at that time.

 

Its tall roster even won back-to-back Palarong Pambansa secondary basketball  titles during his time.

 

This is because he was playing alongside Marlou Aquino and EJ Feihl in high school.

 

In the UAAP junior basketball wars, it was tagged as a team to beat during his time because of their tall roster.

 

During those years in the late 90s, the late Raffy Japa encouraged me to watched lots and lots of UST Nuggets games, which I did and appreciated.

 

I even made big feature out of the UST Nuggets with the encouragement from Mr. Japa.

 

Eventually the UST Nuggets managed to land in the finals twice, and for two years in a row, only to be beaten a smarter Adamson Baby Falcons side.

 

Later, he joined Aquino and Feihl when they moved to Adamson in college, and played with talented forward Kenneth Duremdes.

 

The move by Aquino and Feihl to Adamson, along with de la Cruz was controversial, because he most of members of the UST Nuggets joined the two twin towers.

 

At that time, there were no residency rules which would lead to transferees sitting out for the next two years(it would take the UAAP decades before they were able to formulate the rules on such transfers).

 

During his time in college, injuries sidelined him for most of his playing years.

 

–         Fast Forward

–

So back to the present, De la Cruz replaces longtime coach Pido Jarencio and interim mentor Ernesto “Estong” Ballesteros, who briefly handled the squad when Jarencio suddenly quit last January.

 

The Growling Tigers, who made it to the finals against the La Salle Green Archers the last time around,  will be built around veterans Kareem Abdul, Sheak Sheriff, Aljon Mariano, Kevin Ferrer, Paolo Pe, Kim Lo, Ed Daquioag, Kent Lao and Jeepy Faundo.

 

Louie Vigil and San Sebastian Staglets transferee Jon Macasaet, who were sidelined by injuries last year, are being tapped to play this year, and take up posts vacated by graduates Jeric Teng, Clark Bautista and Roberto Hainga.

 

The Growling Tigers would most likely lie low from joining many pre-season events during the summer, according to coach Bong.

 

But, they will only join one pre-season event, promised Bong.

 

It will be  the 20th Fr. Martin Summer Cup as part of their preparation for coming UAAP season.

Here, we will see how the Growling Tigers will progress under Segundo III.

Sportswriter’s notebook- Cebu football brawl: No one spared, Enrico Mongaya, 2 other spectators slapped 1-year bans

March 25, 2014,

Tuesday,

5:30 p.m.,

Media Center,

Rizal Memorial Coliseum,

Vito Cruz,

Manila

 

Not one, but three spectators were slapped with heavier penalties than those involved.

 

Being adults, three were given one-year bans for taking  part in the melee which marred the football game between Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and Alcoy FC two weeks ago.

 

For their part in ruining a game in the ongoing 16th Aboitiz Cup Under -18 tournament in Mandaue City, not just Enrico Mongaya as sanctioned, but two others also.

(concerned individuals break up a fight involving the two teams, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and Alcoy FC two weeks ago, photo sourced from Sunstar-Cebu Facebook page, and as taken by Allan Cuizon, Sunstar-Cebu).

 

The two, identified as Paul Costin and JR Pepito, were also  banned from going to venues and watching football tournaments for one year.

 

A twitter message from Cebu-based sportswriter Mike Limpag alerted me to the Cebu Football Association’s decision.

 

Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta confirmed this when I called him this afternoon.

 

He said he has been informed Cebu Football Association president Pericles Dacay of their decision to impose sanctions on a certain Enrico Mongaya.

 

Mongaya, a Bureau of Customs (BOC) police officer caught apparently “stabbing” the neck of Alcoy FC goalie Rodenel Binolirao with a key during the melee.

 

But, since there are also two others involved, Costin and Pepito, they were also included in the ban.

 

Initially, Araneta is seeking clarification from the CFA if the ban for Cebu-based tournaments only, or if it nationwide in nature.

 

But, CFA officials made it clear that the ban is only limited to the locale of Cebu.

 

On the other hand, the two teams involved were disqualified from tournament following the incident.

 

The coaches, Ateneo de Cebu’s Hayato Ayabe and Alcoy’s Chris delos Santos, were both suspended for six months.

 

It happened three days after the brawl.

 

That was time when the CFA released its decision to impose sanctions on the two teams and coaches involved.

 

On March, 2018, 2014, a dispatch from Sunstar-Cebu’s Edri Aznar said that five players from Alcoy FC and four from Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) have already been  slapped with a six-month suspension from playing in any CFA-sanctioned tournaments.

 

This means that the spectators were accorded heavier penalties.

 

Also, Alcoy FC and SHS-AdC have been expelled from the tournament.

 

According to CFA in its decision (quoting reports from Sunstar-Cebu), “coaches must encourage their players to treat their opponents with due respect.

 

The CFA felt that the coaches must accept responsibility of the conduct of their players and discourage inappropriate behavior in training, competition and away from the sporting arena.

 

The suspended players were identified as Mark Manlosa, Rodnel Benolivao, Jake delos Santos, Mon Ferdinand and Mon Carel Osorio of Alcoy and Miguel Kwan, Mark Veloso, Karlo Villamor and Thirdy Pepito of SHS-Ateneo.

 

CFA Disciplinary Committee member, Atty Julius Entise, said that the incident  hurts because football in Cebu is growing.

 

“ It is an isolated incident and we will work hard so that it will remain isolated and never happen again,” remarked  Entise during press conference at Casino Español.

Sportswriter’s Notebook- Cebu football brawl: Will Enrico Mongaya be spared of any punishment?

March 24, 2014

12:07 a.m.

Monday,

Pasay City

Remember Enrico Mongaya, the spectator who took part in the melee which marred the football game between Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and Alcoy FC on Sunday, March 16, 2014 last weekend?

His actions sparked public outrage(online and in real time), and for what he did during a game in the 16th Aboitiz Cup U-18 meet in Mandaue City.

(Photo shows Enrico Mongaya hitting young Alcoy FC goalie. Mongaya stepped into brawl among kids, a no-no for parents and adults  in incidents like this. Photo was sourced from When In Manila blog’s series of photos taken from Sunstar Cebu’s facebook page. CREDIT goes to ALLAN CUIZON for the excellent picture).

There are clamor, saying that he should not be spared from any form of sanction.

Philippine Football Federation general secretary Ed Gastanes, lawyer by profession,  is interested in his case.

He talked about his thoughts on what occurred during the incident to Cecille Quimlat  during her weekly Saturday program, Football Connection on DZSR Sports Radio.

Philippine Star scribe Olmin Leyba recorded the radio interview, and shared excerpts of the interview to some of his colleagues.

During the program, Atty Ed said that he commends the Cebu Football Association for the sanctions slapped on those involved in the incident.

Then, he added that there is interest in how the CFA will deal with  spectators who got involved in the melee.

Gastanes noted that Mongaya, a Bureau of Customs (BOC) police officer, was caught apparently “stabbing” the neck of Alcoy FC goalie Rodenel Binolirao with a key during the melee.

(a parent, right, steps in as Enrico Mongaya hits away at the boy. Photo credits go to ALLAN CUIZON of Sunstar-Cebu).

Mongaya is the godfather of one of the players.

“We note that the CFA acted swiftly on the matter and has imposed penalties on guilty parties,” stated Gastanes.

Gastanes said the PFF is now re awaiting further reports on what the CFA will do on spectators because penalties imposed were only on players and coaches,”

So far, its the coaches of the two squads and nine players who were slapped six-month suspensions by the CFA.

In the CFA’s initial report, penalties were not included on spectators who stormed to the pitch and joined the fight.

Gastanes added that if the CFA makes a request for PFF to extend the sanctions imposed on the coaches and players,  then the PFF will act on it quite swiftly and promptly, also.

He is probably right.

Mr. Mongaya should not be left alone and not spared of any punishment. Not just by the Bureau of Customs, but by the PFF also, and the schools involved in the incident as well.

Varsity Sports Updates (10th Fr. Martin Collegiate Open Basketball Tournament- Part 1): Confidence-building title conquest for CSB Blazers

March 15, 2014

Saturday,

St. Placid gymnasium

San Beda College,

Mendiola, Manila

12:30 p.m.

From now and until the 90^th season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the College of St. Benilde Blazers will bear an air of confidence following a successful off-season campaign.

No one thought the  Blazers will go this far, just like last year.

But, as they turned to the free throw line in the extra period, they found the needed push to subdue a foul-troubled University of Perpetual Help-A Altas, 113-102, in overtime.

The efforts at the charity lane, allowed them to clinch the men’s division crown in the 10th Fr. Martin Cup Collegiate Open basketball tournament last Saturday, March 15.

          “All heart, all heart kami sa game,” said top scorer Paolo Taha as he sang the school anthem for first time in a championship setting.

(In photo: The CSB Blazers celebrate their title conquest).

They went perfect with their attempts, converting 12 out of 12 tries in the extra five minutes to secure their first ever crown in their second attempt when the action finaly over.

Taha hit 25 points for the Blazers, who improved on their  finish last year, and after bowing to the San Beda Red Lions.

The Blazers’ feat came as Lor Rivera fired 21 points for the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, who outplayed the La Salle Lady Archers, 78-69, for the women’s crown.

The Chris Cantonjos-coached Tigresses claimed their second title since winning the Unigames last October.

Things went downhill for the Altas immediately after Juneric Baloria picked up his fifth foul.

He was ejected from the game for a technical for excessive complaining  in the last 4:47 of extra time.

With the count tied at 95-all in regulation, Raphael Nayve put the Blazers ahead on his three gift shots.

After Cameroonian cager Prince Eze missed an attempt in the return play for the Altas, the Blazers then took a five-point edge, 100-95,  off Jonathan Grey’s drive with 4:06 to go.

Grey, who had 10 points, then scored on six more attempts in the last 2:16, and this allowed the Blazers to gain a 10-point edge, 108-98.

“At least, ngayon, there is an improvement. Last year, we did not win it. Now, I can safely say that the boys are starting to gain confidence with their game. So, whatever happens, we can now take our game to the next level, and do better when the NCAA opens this June,” said Blazers coach Gabby Velasco.

The game went into overtime after Altas veteran Earl Thompson sank  a drive with 38.2 seconds to go 95-all.

The Blazers blew final chance to win it in regulation when RJ Argamino bungled an attempt and Eze missed a fastbreak attempt as time expired.

Thompson powered the Altas with 33 points, while Cameroonian Akhuetie Bright chipped in 13 for the Altas.

Let’s hope and pray that the Blazers title conquest will translate to something better in Season 90.

The scores:

Men’s finals

CSB 113-  Taha 25, Romero 18, Grey 16, Bartolo 9, Argamino 9, Letcheu 7, Jonsson 6, Nayve 5, Saavedra 5,  Altamirano 3, Flores 2, Ongpeco 2, Deles 2.

UPHSD-A 102- Thompson 33, Bright 13, Alano 11, Arboleda 10, Baloria 10, Elopre 9, Sadiwa 5, Eze 8, Bantayan 2 (to be continued).

Quarterscores: 24-18, 48-38, 70-68, 95-all, 113-102.

Sportswriter’s Notebook- New Chapter in Leo Austria’s career coming

March 19, 2014

Ballroom B,

Sheraton Hotel

Vito Cruz, Manila

8:30 p.m.

Has Leo Austria really said goodbye to coaching?

Maybe not.

For now, we  won’t see the former Adamson UniversityFalcons coach handling any varsity squad.

On April 1, that’s April Fool’s Day,  Leo Austria is bringing his act to Ateneo de Manila University.

(in photo: Leo Austria in action, pictured sourced from Pinoyexchange.com).

He will not be coaching in any of the basketball teams of the school.

His son Raymund is in Team B, by the way. But coach Leo won’t be around to do that.

Instead is coming aboard to help out in the school’s development program in the coming month.

So said Ateneo athletics director Ricky Palou when I got in touch with him during the closing ceremonies of the 76^th University Athletic Association of the Philippine season at the Ballroom B of the Sheraton Hotel in Vito Cruz.

“He will  be helping the sports development program of my office, so he’ll be looking at all the different sports, sitting down with program heads and coaches and see what we can do to improve it,” remarked Palou.

(In photo: Leo is all smiles, picture sourced from Brosi Gonzales blog).

Last October, Austria left the Adamson Falcons after the Season 76 basketball games was over.

He finished a seven-year stint which  highlighted by a Final Four appearance two years ago.

But the Falcons were near the bottom of the standings at then of October 2013.

He was eventually replaced by former PBA star and Adamson alumnus Kenneth Duremdes.

Palou said among Austria’s job will be to scout players for the school.

“We  also ask him to help look around, marami rin namang contact si coach Leo,  so he should be able to help us in recruitment,” added Palou

Palou added that there are no plans for Austria to do some coaching for the school.

But, Austria can still accept a coaching job, but not with any UAAP team yet.

So what convinced him to accept his new job with Ateneo?

“When he talked to him, we told him he can’t be a coach forever. At this point iniisip niya ang future niya when we offered to give him a permanent job in Ateneo which he can hold on to until he is 60,” said Palou.