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Madrid to step down as Maroons coach; applicants now welcome to apply

Manila, Philippines- University of the Philippines coach Rey Madrid reacts talks to a referee. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

(UPDATED) Wanted: A full-time head coach for the University of the Philippines men’s basketball team.

Ronnie Dizer, the dean of UP’s College of Human Kinetics, officially confirmed on Monday afternoon that current Fighting Maroons tactician Rey Madrid would serve out his tenure until the end of the year, signaling the start of their search for a new head coach that could serve the team full-time.

“Upon the consultation with the CHK and the Executive Council, we have decided to let Coach Rey end his coaching term on December 31,” Dizer said in a phone interview, confirming the development first reported by Yahoo Philippines last October 19.

“We appreciate his passion to basketball along with his effort and desire to serve his alma mater. We also recognize his contribution to jumpstart the school’s basketball program. And we are also proud of him because he is a former varsity player who has made a name for himself in the field of architecture.

“However, we have realized that we need someone as a full-time coach who won’t compromise his career. We want someone who could serve the team most of the time to also protect the interest of the school,” Dizer stressed, adding Madrid has accepted the school’s decision to have a smooth transition going to next year’s UAAP Season 78, with UP serving as the host school.

Dizer also disclosed that from November 4 to 28, those interested in applying for the position of head coach can submit their “letter of intent, program and credentials” to UP athletic director Ariel Juliano, who is included in the search committee along with Fighting Maroons team manager Dan Palami, former CHK dean Artemio Isidro and College of Engineering Dean Aurora Matias.

Also included in the search committee is GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio, who is considered by Dizer a “basketball expert who could give positive inputs to four other members who are coming from the academe.”

“We all know the experience of Coach Pido, both as a basketball player and a coach as well. I think he suits well with the search committee in helping us out,” said Dizer, adding the wife of the former University of Santo Tomas coach is “very active in different activities of UP as an alumna.”

Madrid, who initially handled the squad in the early 90s, struggled to turn things around for UP since taking over the reins from Ricky Dandan midway through the Season 76, with the Maroons absorbing their third winless campaign since 2007.

Ironically, the Fighting Maroons ended a 27-game losing streak in the first round at the expense of the Adamson Falcons in Season 77 but Madrid was not around as he was serving a suspension.