UNIVERSITY of the Philippines officials were quick to react after news spread on social media that Godfrey Okumu has been fired as coach of the Lady Maroons.
A statement issued by Dean Francis Carlos Diaz of the UP College of Human Kinetics and endorsed by UP chancellor Michael Tan said Okumu is still coach of the school's women's volleyball team, contrary to claims made on Twitter.
"The College of Human Kinetics wishes to clarify that Godfrey Okumu is still the head coach of the UP Lady Maroons," the university said in a statement released to media organizations on Monday.
Contacted for comment by SPIN.ph, Okumu said, "Please treat [the report] as fake news."
According to a series of posts on Twitter, UP officials decided to dump Okumu in the wake of the Lady Maroons' failure to reach the Final Four of the UAAP women's volleyball tournament last season.
Okumu's new role with club team Motolite is also causing friction in its relationship with the school and the team's backer United Auctioneers , the tweets claimed.
However, sources bared Okumu cut his ties with United Auctioneers but did not tender his resignation as UP coach, which the school confirmed in the statement.
"Mr. Okumu has a live contract with the College of Human Kinetics and the University of the Philippines, and as such will continue to coach, train, and recruit players for the UPWVT," UP said. "Coach Godfrey's relationship with entities involved in the volleyball sport does not include on affect his current position in the UP team."
"At the same time, the University also recognizes under its existing Memorandum of Agreement that United Auctioneers is still the major sponsor of the UPWVT and is thankful for their continued support."