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No hard feelings for Zamar after UE firing

Instead of being disheartened, Boycie Zamar took in stride his surprise sacking last week as the head coach of the University of the East men’s basketball team, even describing himself as “one good soldier and a true-blooded Red Warrior.”

“I will always be grateful and thankful for my alma mater,” said Zamar, 48, in a phone interview Monday afternoon. “Blessed nga rin ako kasi binigyan ako ng tiwala ng UE na hawakan ‘yung team. Tinawag tayo para tumulong kaya makakatanggi ba tayo? I will always be loyal to my school.”

Zamar, who graduated with a degree in Business Administration major in Management in 1989, had two stints calling the shots for the Red Warriors, who he also helped won a pair of crowns in the mid-80s alongside pro league greats Allan Caidic and Jerry Codinera.

The first was from 2001-2003 when he led the James Yap and the rest of the Red Warriors to Final Four stints in the UAAP before getting replaced by Dindo Pumaren.

ALSO READ: Zamar axed as UE Red Warriors head coach

Then Zamar found himself back at the Recto-based squad when he took over the coaching mantle from Codinera midway though elimination round of UAAP Season 75 in 2012. The Red Warriors finished with a 3-11 mark, good for a tie at the sixth and seventh spots with the Adamson Falcons.

Expectations on UE to figure prominently in the UAAP then soared last year following the entry of hulking African reinforcement Charles Mammie and their surprising championship run in the Filoil-Flying V summer league tournament.

However, things didn’t go according to plan when the Red Warriors saw their chances hurt with key suspensions on the 6-foot-7 Mammie, Lord Casajeros and Ralf Olivares in the crucial stage of the eliminations.

UE went on to finish with an even 7-7 slate, a victory short of tying eventual finalist University of Santo Tomas for the fourth and final semifinals berth.

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In a decision that certainly caught many by surprise last Friday, top UE officials bared they are looking for a replacement for Zamar, someone “who will handle the team full-time, one without commitments to other teams.”

Ironically, Zamar is also serving as head coach of Cebuana Lhuillier in the PBA D-League. He also acted as an assistant coach to Barangay Ginebra in the Philippine Cup and is currently serving the same capacity at San Miguel Beer in the pro ranks.

“It is UE’s decision and I will give my utmost respect. Handa lang naman ako sa lahat ng posibleng mangyari. Like a good soldier, you will always follow your leader. Isa rin akong true-blooded Warrior kaya forever na magiging part ng buhay ko ang UE,” Zamar said.

Asked if he would like to serve UE anew, Zamar quickly replied, saying: “I’m open to everything. Kahit sa anong paraan na makakatulong ako sa UE, pwede naman.”