Dandan resigns; Dela Cruz, Cardel eyed as next Dyip coach

MANILA, Philippines – The Columbian Dyip team management hinted Tuesday at promoting either Art dela Cruz or Johnedel Cardel to be their next head coach following the unexpected resignation of Ricky Dandan after their 4-7 finish in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round.

The Dyip actually still have a slight chance of playing a playoff match for the last quarterfinals berth in case both the Magnolia Hotshots and the Phoenix Fuel Masters drop their remaining matches.

But Dandan has tendered his resignation, saying he wants to concentrate helping the UP Maroons contend for the crown in the coming UAAP season.

“He’s the head coach in our team and he’s just an assistant at UP. It’s hard to understand, but he said he’s made a commitment with UP. They’re fortifying UP, and to help UP is his priority. We respect his decision,” Columbian Dyip top official Bobby Rosales told The STAR.

“We’re searching for the replacement now,” Rosales also said, adding quickly that Dela Cruz and Cardel are the top candidates.

“In our organization, we value loyalty and we give breaks to insiders. They are both assistant coaches, no first assistant and no second assistant. They’re equal. It’s just Art is ahead in seniority,” Rosales pointed out.

But Rosales also didn’t discount the possibility of tapping an outsider. “It’s always a possibility,” he said.

The Columbian official lamented Dandan’s exit.

“I didn’t expect it. We’re not firing him for our 4-7 showing. Ours is a young team and we’ve just started our system. We understand that our young players can’t absorb it overnight,” said Rosales.

He said there’s an amount of satisfaction on their improvement from a one-win performance in the Philippine Cup.

Given some more time, Rosales is confident the Dyip will develop cohesion. “Kinakapos lang naman lagi sa huli,” he said.