UNIVERSITY of the Philippines coach Goldwin Monteverde has five more years to prove the Fighting Maroons’ riveting title conquest in 2022 that ended a 36-year title dry spell in the UAAP was no fluke.
Monteverde yesterday signed a five-year contract extension with UP after the team lost to La Salle in the finals of the 86th season.
“UP MBT management is committed to establishing continuity in the program to ensure the winning culture developed under coach Gold is sustained,” UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development Director Bo Perasol said.
Perasol added that UP President Angelo Jimenez and Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan II approved the new pact between Monteverde and UP management, which recently secured the support of banking giant BPI through the help of supportive alumni.
“UP MBT management is working on all fronts to further strengthen the team. Hindi lang ang lineup ng team ang iniintindi. They’re making sure we have a solid coaching staff, as well as the financial resources needed to support our basketball program,” Perasol added.
UP team manager Atty. Agaton Uvero said the Maroons’ faithful “agree that coach Gold should be given the reins of the team, as his record the past three seasons speaks for itself.”
Monteverde guided UP to its first crown since 1986 in his first year calling the shots two years ago but could not get the job done in the next two seasons. All the while, he has overseen the development of the likes of former MVP Malick Diouf, Carl Tamayo, Zavier Lucero, JD Cagulangan, and CJ Cansino.
“Under coach Gold, the team’s record has improved year-to-year, but our decision is not based on his performance alone,” Uvero said. “His conduct and demeanor on and off the court has been exemplary and this is the kind of mentorship we believe our players can benefit from.”
The Katipunan-based five announced last week that incoming rookie Jared Bahay has officially withdrawn his commitment to suit up for the team.
