Jarin, Racela, Reroma eyed for Youth 5 post

MANILA, Philippines – The Phl Under-18 national basketball team coaching job could be a choice among multi-titled high school coaches Jamike Jarin and Brit Reroma and soon-to-retire pro Olsen Racela.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is now in the process of searching for a replacement of Eric Altamirano, whose contract with the Nationals has expired. The former PBA mentor is expected to take over the coaching reins at National U in next year’s UAAP season.

“The SBP executive committee will study the list and we will know who will coach the Phl Youth team by the end of the year,” said SBP executive director Noli Eala.

Among the three, Jarin is most titled with eight of Ateneo’s 18 championships in the UAAP.

“Why not? It’s all the coaches’ dream of serving the country and flag, it will be an honor if I’ll be given a chance,” said Jarin, currently one of the assistant coaches of Chot Reyes at Talk n Text in the PBA.

Reroma, on the other hand, is the head assistant of retired multi-titled coach Ato Badolato at San Beda High, which he steered to a second straight crown this year.

A possibility of Jarin and Reroma coaching together for the RP Youth should be an interesting scenario considering that both have proven themselves on local soil.

But that is not discounting the possibility of the 40-year-old Racela getting his first ever head-coaching job as he is set to retire right after the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup after playing in the pros for years and several stints with the national squads.