CHICAGO - After a long and sweeping process, the UE Red Warriors finally found the head coach they hope will end the school's 15-year Final Four drought in the UAAP men's basketball tournament.
Josh Reyes, multiple sources bared, has emerged from a highly competitive field of candidates and got the nod of UE's top brass and the chosen representatives of the university's chief booster.
The imminent hiring culminates a joint UE-Tanduay search that supposedly began during a corporate Christmas party. last December.
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Cholo Villanueva was originally picked before he politely turned it down. Eric Altamirano was targeted next but he also removed himself from consideration, setting off a series of interviews involving Chris Gavina, Ariel Vanguardia, Cholo Martin, Boyet Fernandez, Boyzie Zamar and Reyes.
When reached for comment on Friday, Reyes didn't confirm his impending appointment and told me via text message "I won't rush into things" and that he will "proceed with his normal days focusing on TNT and Gilas."
But UE sources revealed that both sides are currently ironing out the details of a contract that reportedly pays P300,000 a month. An official announcement is expected in the coming "few days."
Long UE drought
Having last won the UAAP crown in 1985 and unable to barge in the Final Four since 2009, the Red Warriors are a reclamation project, something Reyes is proficient at after leading our youth team to the U-17 World Cup and U-18 Asia Cup following decades of futility.
Taking on the hot seat, which was previously occupied by Jack Santiago whose contract wasn't renewed after expiring last January 1, allows Josh the opportunity to run his own program, one of only eight such privileges in the entire country.
Unlike being a national coach which demands a lot of traveling overseas, coaching in the UAAP is more rooted on home soil, a more suitable geography that will allow Reyes to spend more time with his wife and young kids.
Most importantly, inheriting the throne as hoops king at Recto gives Josh the stage where the spotlight will all be his, far, far away from the shadow of his famous father, Chot Reyes.
STAYING PUT.
Just like Altamirano and Zamar, Josh had the powerful endorsement of Phenom Sports Management, the agency had initially threatened to pull out their players had it deemed the next coach not aligned with the plans.
But with Reyes soon to be on board, the expectation is that Precious Momowei and John Agate will stay put at UE.
It's a win-win for all parties.
After falling a game short of the Final Four in Season 87, can Josh push the Red Warriors to the big dance?
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