Madrid gives way to new UP coach

MANILA, Philippines - University of the Philippines yesterday announced the search for a new coach as current mentor Rey Madrid will relinquish the reins at the end of the year.

According to UP College of Human Kinetics dean Ronnie Dizer, Madrid has agreed to serve out his tenure until Dec. 31 and make way for a “smooth transition” in the Maroons’ bid to regroup and turn things around in UAAP Season 78, which they will be hosting.

“We appreciate his passion to basketball along with his effort and desire to serve his alma mater. We also recognize his contribution to jumpstart the school’s basketball program. And we are also proud of him because he is a former varsity player who has made a name for himself in the field of architecture,” Dizer said.

“However, we have realized that we need someone as a full-time coach who won’t compromise his career. We want someone who could serve the team most of the time to also protect the interest of the school,” he added.

Starting today, UP will be accepting applications. A five-man search committee composed of UP athletic director Ariel Juliano, team manager Dan Palami, former CHK dean Artemio Isido, College of Engineering dean Aurora Matias, and former UST coach Pido Jarencio, has been formed to assess applicants.

Jarencio’s connection with UP stems from the fact that his wife is an alumna and active supporter of the school’s activities and that he himself had previously worked with Dizer when the latter was skills coach with Tanduay in the PBA.