REY Madrid refused to guarantee a quick turnaround for University of the Philippines after being installed as the new head coach of the Fighting Maroons halfway through Season 76 of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
Madrid said his appointment as replacement of Ricky Dandan is not an assurance that the Maroons will reverse a slide that had seen them lose their first eight games of the season, adding his main goal at this point is to bring back his players’ confidence.
“Wala akong dadalhin na magic capsule,” Madrid told to Spin.ph. “Gusto ko lang ‘yung mga players to give them a comfort level para makuha nila ‘yung confidence.”
Madrid, a former Maroon making a return to coaching in Diliman after his stint with the team in the early 90s, said there won’t be any major shake-up as far as how the Maroons will play under his watch.
“Wala akong major na babaguhin. We will use the same patterns and same calls. I will just try to motivate ‘yung mga players so that we can get back on track,” said the new UP mentor.
While he has taken over as head coach, Madrid said he will let the school administration decide whether he will continue to handle the team next season or not.
“I’m going to let management and the school assess this season. I’ll give them a free hand kung gusto nilang kumuha ng iba,” he said.
Madrid will be joined by former Maroons Ramil Cruz and Edward ‘Poch’ Juinio as assistants.
He makes his return to coaching on Saturday against La Salle after UP’s match against University of the East last Wednesday was called off due to inclement weather.
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