Loyzaga next National U athletics chief?

MANILA, Philippines - Former PBA legend Chito Loyzaga may return to the UAAP but not as commissioner but possibly as National U athletic director and representative to the board.

Loyzaga, who oversaw the UAAP’s basketball games in 2013, is on the short list of prospects for the post vacated by Junel Baculi, according to NU exec Nilo Ocampo.

“Chito is a candidate. But nothing is definite yet,” Ocampo said.

NU is looking for a new athletic chief after long-time official Baculi resigned at the end of the just concluded Season 77.

Baculi’s departure came after the Sy family-owned NU broke a 60-year title drought in men’s basketball and swept its way to first-ever women’s hoops diadem.

Baculi is eyeing a return to his first love – coaching – and spend his full time on it. Yesterday, he posted a lengthy expression of thanks to his “true NU friends” and bosses on his Facebook account.

The 56-year-old Loyzaga, for his part, declined to comment. But a source close to the ex-Philippine sports commissioner and among the PBA’s 40 Greatest Players maintained that he is very much interested in accepting the NU position.