A SERIES of meetings have been set to sort out the confusion at the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons camp over the fate of Ricky Dandan, who has been fired as head coach by the alumni association without the blessings of school officials.
Ronwaldo Dizer, UP College of Human Kinetics dean and the school's representative to the UAAP board, told Spin.ph on Monday that there has been no changes to the coaching staff as far as the school is concerned until after a series of meetings among officials and stakeholders sort out the mess.
“As of now, walang resignation at walang fina-fire na coach," Dizer said. "Opo siya (Dandan) pa rin ang coach ng UP.”
Dizer said the school is now in the process of evaluating the situation to plot the next move, hinting that there is a chance Dandan may either remain as head coach or stay on in another capacity.
“We’ll see kung magkakaroon ng movement, a certain task will be assigned to him as part of the technical consultant committee. Basta walang tinatanggal,” he said.
To listen to full interview with Dean Dizer, click here.
Reports reaching Spin.ph on Sunday said Dandan was fired by one of the many team managers of the Maroons on Saturday morning due to the team’s poor showing in the ongoing UAAP season 76.
Former UP coach and Dandan’s friend, Rey Madrid, has since been tasked to supervise the team’s practice in an interim capacity.
Dizer denied the department was bypassed by the alumni association in the decision to fire Dandan.
“Bypassed? Hindi po kami na-bypass at wala po kaming isa-summon. We just need more meetings to iron things out,” Dizer said.
“By the end of the day after series of meetings with stakeholders, things will be clarified,” he added while hinting that the final decision will rest with Dandan.
“Everything is dependent on coach Ricky’s decision. Whatever he will make I’m sure it will be for the best of the school,” he added.
Dizer bared that a decision by the school will be released to media within the day.
“We will release an official statement within the day about changes, kung meron man. It will include possible movements in coaches or management if there will be,” Dizer stressed.
Meanwhile, another source told Spin.ph that Dandan is no longer part of the Globalport Batang Pier team in the PBA where he used to sit as one of the assistants of head coach Junel Baculi.
He and his former coach at UP, Joe Lipa, were released three weeks ago, the source added.
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