Maroons coach quits; ex- mentor tapped

MANILA, Philippines - Ricky Dandan yesterday officially quit as University of the Philippines’ head coach, leading to changes in bench personnel midway into UAAP Season 76 for the cellardwelling Fighting Maroons .

“He officially submitted his resignation to me today (yesterday),” UP college of human kinetics dean Ronualdo Dizer confirmed.

Dandan’s likely replacement is Rey Madrid, a former Maroon who called the shots for State U in the 1990s. With Dandan not around, it was gathered that Madrid oversaw the team’s practice over the weekend.

“Yes, of course, he (Madrid) is a candidate, being a former UP coach himself,” said Dizer, who is meeting with university officials to discuss their course of action. ”But until there’s an official document, we can’t announce anything yet.”

Madrid’s impending appointment should be formalized over the next two days as the Maroons (0-8) are slated to see action on Wednesday against University of the East.

“We need to have a coach tomorrow (today) because we have a game on Wednesday. And we have to submit (documentations) to the UAAP, too,” Dizer said.

Former UP stalwarts Poch Juinio and Ramil Cruz are also likely to come on board as Madrid’s assistant.

As for Dandan, Dizer said he is still part of the UP program, to help in “technical consultation.”

Dandan’s supposed departure hit the basketball community last Sunday but apparently, it transpired at the alumni association-team management level. It was only yesterday that it reached the appointing authorities, CHK dean Dizer and UP chancellor Dr. Caesar Saloma.

“The official authority to appoint (or dismiss a coach) is with the Dean of the college of human kinetics and the UP chancellor,” stressed Dizer.

The ongoing drama brought back memories of the coaching change made in the middle of the tourney in 2010 when Boyet Fernandez was appointed vice Aboy Castro. Interestingly, it was Dandan who succeeded Fernandez in 2011.