UNIVEVERSIT of the Philippines tapped last Friday multi-titled high school coach Goldwin Monteverde as the new Fighting Maroons tactician, replacing Bo Perasol, who stepped down last month.
“Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo has officially announced the appointment of coach Goldwyn Monteverde as the new UP men’s basketball head coach,” the UP College of Human Kinetics said.
In a separate statement, UP chancellor Fidel Nemenzo confirmed the appointment of Monteverde.
“Despite the recent pandemic measures, we have continued with our consultations with the UP community, stakeholders, and supporters of the UP men’s basketball team. We also conducted interviews of the applicants as part of the vetting process for the selection of the UPMBT head coach.”
Monteverde will be reunited with former Nazareth School of National University standouts Carl Tamayo and Gerry Abadiano, who moved to the Maroons last year.
Prolific scorer Terrence Fortea also transferred to UP. Tamayo, Abadiano, and Fortea were all former players of Monteverde at the Bullpups.
Perasol was named UP program director.
“The decision is a difficult one as UP has a very unique program in terms of management and community support,” Perasol said.
“Obviously, there are alumni supporters who have played a massive role in the resurgence of the program. It should be noted also that a UP head coach takes both coaching and management functions. All these factors have to be considered in addition to the coach’s competence, experience, and disposition. Personally, it is the right decision under the present circumstances.”
Gone are star forward Kobe Paras, who opted to try his in the United States anew, and brothers Javi and Juan Gomez de Liaño who chose to forgo their remaining playing years with the Maroons and instead turn pro in the Japan B.League.
Aside from the trio of Tamayo, Abadiano, and Fortea, former Mapua guard Cyril Gonzales, La Salle Greenhills gunner RC Calimag, Xavier’s Miguel Tan, Fil-Am guard Sam Dowd, Fil-Canadians Alonso Tan and Anton Eusebio should be big additions to the team.
The likes of former University of Santo Tomas skipper CJ Cansino and former Tiger Cubs slotman Bismarck Lina, Joel Cagulangan of La Salle, and Jancork Cabahug of University of the Visayas have all went to UP.
