Source says Rey Madrid to keep post as UP head coach

UP coach Rey Madrid is hoping an complete off season with the Maroons will help produce better results. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

Rey Madrid will continue to call the shots for University of the Philippines men's basketball team, after all.

According to an unimpeachable source who spoke Monday on the condition of anonymity but is privy to the development, top school officials are sticking with Madrid, who handled the Fighting Maroons on an interim basis following the resignation of Ricky Dandan midway through the UAAP Season 76 eliminination round.

The source also disclosed that Ronnie Dizer, the school's representative to the UAAP Board and who also serves as the Dean of the College of Human Kinetics, has endorsed Madrid's full-time appointment for the approval of UP Diliman Chancellor Ceasar A. Saloma.

Even guard Mikee Reyes, who left the squad following a fallout with Dandan early in Season 76 but is expected to vie for a roster spot next season, wrote Sunday night an intriguing tweet on his personal Twitter account (@_mikeereyes).




The official decision of school officials, however, will be made in the coming days, the source added.
Madrid, an owner of a successful architect firm who has served as one of UP's team managers after taking the coaching mantle in the early 90's, beat out the likes of former UP Integrated School star Paolo Mendoza, former UP assistant Jojo Villa and PBA D-League coach Robert Sison for the head coaching post.

Yahoo Philippines first reported that Madrid had the inside track as early as October. The official appointment was delayed for several weeks after a group of alumni reportedly tried unsuccessfully to push for their own candidate, who was not among those shortlisted.

The source added that Madrid will be conducting the Maroons' practice on Monday, and also hinted at a major change in the team's management structure.