Zamar focuses on Warriors’ UAAP mission

MANILA, Philippines - Coach Boycie Zamar, currently in-demand for a job at the pros, yesterday maintained that his focus and commitment at this point is “200 percent” on the University of the East Red Warriors’ drive in the UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball wars kicking off on Saturday.

“I’d like to announce that UE is ready for the UAAP and that I’m 200 percent committed to the Red Warriors,” Zamar said yesterday during a lunch hosted by the newly crowned Filoil Flying V Premier Cup champions.

Zamar, who had steered UE to titles in tournaments in Indonesia and Malaysia prior to the pre-season tournament, confirmed getting offers for stints at San Miguel Corp. and others in the PBA, D-League and Asean Basketball League.

“Actually even before UE, there were already talks not only with San Miguel but other PBA teams, D-League and ABL,” he said. “But the most important thing right now is the UAAP, where we want to improve our seventh place finish last season.”

He said he had informed team manager Jesus Tanchanco Jr. and athletic director Rod Roque about the offers but reaffirmed his commitment to the school. “I told them I don’t want this to become an issue and distract us in our UAAP campaign. At the same time, I told them there’s a chance for promotion for me, to go up the ladder in coaching. But the focus right now is the UAAP,” he added.

He added that SMC itself wants him to concentrate on UE first.

Zamar’s eye lit up on the prospect of joining the Kings’ coaching staff. “If I had my way, I’d go to the most popular team.” He served as an assistant to Jong Uichico in 2002 when the Philippine Team took part in the PBA as part of its buildup for the Asian Games.

A former Red Warrior himself, Zamar seeks to build on their pre-season gains to reach the Final Four of this year’s UAAP. Zamar, who took over from Jerry Codiñera late in Season 75, last steered his alma mater to the semis in 2003 with a crew led by James Yap.

“Compared to that team, our current team has a good center in (6-foot-8 Sierra Leone native Charles Mamie). Yap’s team was a doughnut team, without a good big man,” he said.

He looks at everyone as a threat in Season 76. “Every team is the team to beat here, including us. That’s how wide open the race is.”