Advertisement

UP coach Rey Madrid asked to step down - report

Manila, Philippines-University of the Philippines coach Rey Madrid could not hide his disappointment in their game against Adamson. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

To give interested parties an equal chance to apply for the position, the University of the Philippines has reportedly asked Rey Madrid to vacate his post as head coach of the Fighting Maroons men’s basketball team.

According to a team insider who refused to be identified but is privy to the development, the school’s top officials, including College of Human Kinetics head and UAAP Board representative Ronnie Dizer, want Madrid to give up the coaching position, a move that could formally kick off the “drastic overhaul” called for by team manager Dan Palami early this month.

But that doesn’t mean Madrid will already be out of the equation.

“They asked for his resignation to open the floor for others to present their own program. Of course, this includes Rey to include his own (program),” said the insider, adding that the concurrent Azkals manager is intent on pulling out all the stops entering his second year as the Fighting Maroons team manager.

“That’s what Palami meant by total revamp. Let the vetting start,” added the insider. When asked if Madrid has agreed to this arrangement, the source said the embattled coach "has no choice". It is also not yet clear when the application process will formally start.

With UP serving as host of next year’s Season 78, Palami has already set lofty expectations, challenging the Fighting Maroons to make it back to the Final Four for the first time since 1997.

Madrid, who is on his second tour of duty as the Fighting Maroons, having called the shots for the team in the early 90s, has yet to turn things around for the struggling team since taking over the coaching mantle from Ricky Dandan midway through the eliminations of UAAP Season 76 in 2013.

Although UP prevented another winless campaign in Season 77 and even snapped a 27-game losing streak courtesy of a 77-66 win over Adamson last August 9 during the first round of eliminations, it could not be credited to Madrid at all as he missed the match following a two-game suspension slapped by commissioner Andy Jao.