Two coaches to debut in UAAP senior caging

MANILA, Philippines - The opening salvo of the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament tomorrow will serve as the baptism of fire not only to the freshman class but also to two of the eight coaches and the league commissioner.

Rensy Bajar of host University of the Philippines and Mike Fermin of Adamson U will make their debut right in the inaugurals when the Maroons go up against the University of the East Warriors and the Falcons tangle with the University of Santo Tomas Tigers.

Lawyer Rebo Saguisag will also get his first taste of action as head of the hoops competitions.

“I feel challenged and excited to finally coach in the UAAP. It’s been my dream to coach UP,” said Bajar, a former pro tapped to turn things around for the Fighting Maroons.

Bajar assumed the coaching chores last April and led UP to the Filsports Basketball Association title. He previously called the shots for Diliman College and steered the team to the Philippine Collegiate Champions League and Fatima U in Naascu.

“The pressure to deliver is there. I’m praying the Lord will help me deliver,” said the 39-year-old Bajar.

Fermin took over from ex-PBA star Kenneth Duremdes only last June.

“It’s a challenge,” said Fermin, who was Duremdes’ first assistant. “There are no major adjustments, though, as the system we started with coach Kenneth is already there. We just need to polish it and I also added some patterns and defensive strategies based on the strong points of the players in the roster.”

The youngest in the batch at 38, Fermin had earlier stints with La Salle Greenhills, College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers and commercial team Mighty Sports.

Saguisag, meanwhile, is expected to be a stickler for the rules.

“We’ll follow the Fiba (rules),” he said.

Saguisag served as personal counsel to the NCAA management committee chairman twice before, consulting on matters concerning the league’s by-laws, Fiba rules and their interpretations.

“I’ve always been a basketball fan. I’m a lawyer by profession, sportsman at heart,” said Saguisag.