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Louie Alas in the mix to fill UE Red Warriors head coach vacancy

Louie Alas in the mix to fill UE Red Warriors head coach vacancy

Louie Alas might find himself back on the collegiate sidelines next season.

A source told Yahoo Philippines Wednesday night that Alas, 48, has already “agreed in principle” to call the shots for University of the East men’s basketball team, replacing Boycie Zamar who was sacked last week.

The source, who is privy to the development but spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that Alas recently met with Michael Tan, son of business magnate and top Red Warriors supporter Lucio Tan, along with Tommy Manotoc, a former pro league champion coach who is “working behind the scenes,” about the coaching vacancy which the former Letran Knights readily accepted.

However, there are reports within the UE community that the decision to choose Alas left a group of “academicians” reluctant. The group intends to stick with the management’s stand of hiring “someone who will handle the team full-time, one without commitments to other teams.”

Alas is currently serving as one of the assistant coaches of the Alaska Aces in the pro ranks.

Zamar, 48, was reportedly given the pink slip due to his other commitments as an assistant coach with San Miguel Beer in the pro ranks and as the head coach of Cebuana Lhuillier in the PBA Developmental League.

“Okay na si coach Louie na hawakan ‘yung team. But ‘yung mga academicians kinokontra kasi si coach Louie may trabaho rin sa Alaska. Pero kung si Mike Tan ang masusunod, siya (Alas) na ang talagang magiging coach,” the insider said.

Reached by Yahoo Philippines after the Aces win over the Barako Bull Energy 78-71,  Alas confirmed he indeed sat down with Tan and Manotoc.

“Yes, we talked recently. I told them I’m interested and available for the (UE coaching post). But the final decision will be up to the (UE’s) search committee and Board of Directors,” he said.

If he would eventually gain the nod, Alas will have to deal with a challenging job of reliving the glory days of the once fabled Red Warriors squad, which is experiencing a near three-decade drought in the UAAP since a team bannered by pro league greats Allan Caidic and Jerry Codinera helped UE reach the Promised Land from 1984 and 1985.

But winning in the collegiate ranks, as well as in other leagues, has been a trademark for Alas.

When he assumed the coaching reins for the Knights, Alas helped them claim three NCAA titles, make five Finals appearances and reach the Final Four 10 times. He, however, left his post after getting swept in two games by San Beda in their titular showdown in 2012.

Alas also steered to championships the Philippine Patriots in the Asean Basketball League  in 2010, the Manila Metrostars in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association  in 1999 and the national team in the 1999 Southeast Asian Games.