New collegiate coaches look to start out momentum

FILE–Former PBA coach Chris Gavina takes over for UE Pink Warriors within the UAAP males’s basketball event. –INQUIRER FILE

MANILA, Philippines—This 12 months’s installment of the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup will characteristic three colleges beneath new tutelage.

Whereas it’s straightforward to concentrate on the College of the Philippines and Mapua because the defending champions of the UAAP and NCAA, respectively, some groups may even be placed on discover—particularly San Sebastian, Jose Rizal College, and the College of the East.

These three colleges might be led by new coaches, beginning with the Golden Stags, who will now be steered by Rob Labagala.

Labagala, finest recognized for his stint with Ginebra within the PBA, now has his personal group to prepare after serving as an assistant for Josh Reyes within the Gilas Youth program and for Jeff Napa on the Nationwide College teaching employees.

The Heavy Bombers, one other staple squad within the NCAA, may even have new management beneath coach Nani Epondulan.

Epondulan is not any stranger to the NCAA. In reality, he received the league’s 1990 MVP award after enjoying for JRU. He’s additionally skilled as a coach, having served as deputy for Mapua tactician Randy Alcantara.

UE, which created fairly a buzz within the UAAP this previous season, may even take a look at its chemistry with new coach Chris Gavina within the preseason video games offered by ABC Tile Adhesive.

Gavina, a seasoned PBA coach with Rain or Shine and Kia, might be testing his mettle on the collegiate degree.

Earlier than that, he’ll use the preseason as a measuring stick for Season 88, with Treasured Momowei, Wello Lingolingo, and John Abate main the cost.