UNIVERSITY of the East is looking at the school's homegrown talents as new coach for its men’s basketball team.
There is consensus among school officials and the athletic department that the new coach should come from its alumni. The vacancy was created following the non extension of coach Jack Santiago's contract.
UE, a UAAP basketball colossus in the 1960s and 1970s - at one period winning seven straight basketball championships - has been a shadow of its past glory. It has not made the Final Four in 15 years, the longest drought in the league.
COLUMN: UE choice of next coach may dictate if Momowei & Co. will stay or go
The school hopes to change that by taking in a UE graduate. The last time the Red Warriors were handled by an alumnus was in 2017, back in UAAP Season 80 when Derrick Pumaren was coach.
UE athletic director Rod Roque is leading the search as the school is carefully studying its options with the shortlist that they have.
The list may include Boyzie Zamar, who had two stints as UE coach. Zamar, a graduate of UE, also holds an administrative position in the school He recently filed a leave of absence, fueling speculation that he wants to be considered for the job.
Tanduay, the school’s main backer, is expected to have a big say in choosing the next coach..
The Red Warriors came close to ending its Final Four drought last season, but heartbreaking losses in their last few games ended the bid. The final straw was a setback to Adamson in a playoff for the fourth semis berth.
The Red Warriors last reached the semifinals in 2009 with Paul Lee leading the fray.
With last year's close call, the UE community is hopeful that finding the right coach may finally end the drought. - RL
Alas Women pool set to be expanded
Volleyball officials plan to expand the Alas Pilipinas Women player pool this year.
Head coach Jorge Souza de Brito said he hopes to introduce new names into the pool to bolster the current 17-woman national team pool.
To this end, SPIN.ph sources said the Brazilian mentor plans to watch some games in the ongoing 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference and also the forthcoming UAAP and NCAA volleyball seasons to scout for potential additions.
Whether there will be additions or not, de Brito will still follow his schedule and start the nationals’ first training camp of the year by April or May which is about the same time the PVL’s longest conference will end.
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The early start is meant to prepare the team for its biggest mission, which is to end a medal drought in the Southeast Asian Games which has lasted 20 years. The 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games will be held this December in Thailand.
For de Brito, the SEA Games take on a special meaning and challenge. It could be his next audition to retain his post as Alas Pilipinas coach. De Brito was given a one-year extension following his exemplary handling of the squad.
Under his watch, the women's team broke through with three bronze medals in three international tournaments.
In brief, the SEA Games tournament is a make or break event not only for Alas but for de Brito as well.- John Mark Garcia
Meggie Ochoa calling it a career
ONE of the country's best women martial artists is retiring, SPIN.ph has learned.
Meggie Ochoa is hanging up her belt after helping popularize one of the relatively unknown sports to Filipino fans.
The 34-year-old Ochoa announced her retirement a few days ago in a lengthy Instagram post where she thanked everyone who became part of her journey.
“Longer post on retirement to follow,” wrote Ochoa on her Instagram account a few days ago.
READ Ailing Meggie Ochoa wins Team Philippines' second gold in Asiad
Ochoa was a former world champion when she bagged the 2018 edition. She also won two gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games in 2019 and 2021 when the sport was starting to grow.
In 2023, Ochoa was also one of the four gold medalists in the 19th Asian Games, joining the Gilas Pilipinas national basketball team, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and fellow ju-jitsu martial artist Annie Ramirez.
Ochoa along with Ramirez were named as SPIN.ph’s Fighters of the Year in 2023. - Reuben Terrado
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