Homecoming: Altamirano at UP, Alas at Ateneo

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines legend Eric Altamirano came home to Diliman to mentor its women’s basketball team while former La Salle sensation Kieffer Alas committed to Ateneo for collegiate play as teams ushered in offseason moves for the UAAP Season 89 later this year.

Altamirano, a member of the the famed UP team that ruled the UAAP with Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc in 1986, yesterday was officially introduced as the Fighting Maroons women’s basketball team head coach to replace Paul Ramos, who steered the team back to Final Four in Season 86.

“I’ve come full circle. This is my way of giving back to the school that gave me the opportunity to start my playing career and coaching career,” said Altamirano, who will inherit an intact core led by Gilas Pilipinas women players Louna Ozar and Camille Nolasco as well as veteran Kaye Pesquera.

Altamirano was the Finals MVP in Season 49 when UP under mentor Joe Lipa swept UE to snap a 48-year title drought. That served as Diliman’s last title before another 36 years of dryspell ended by coach Goldwin Monteverde and his team in 2022.

His appointment came on the heels of UP’s Katipunan rival massive recruitment in men’s basketball, scooping up the services of Alas, the star of Gilas Pilipinas youth that made it to the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup after a Final Four finish in the Asian qualifier.

“Homecoming,” said Alas on Instagram the other day as he reunites with father Louie, who serves as deputy to Baldwin, after choosing Ateneo over a bevy of other UAAP and US NCAA Division 2 schools.