FILE–Former PBA coach Chris Gavina takes over for UE Red Warriors in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament. –INQUIRER FILE
MANILA, Philippines—This year’s installment of the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup will feature three schools under new tutelage.
While it’s easy to focus on the University of the Philippines and Mapua as the defending champions of the UAAP and NCAA, respectively, some teams will also be put on notice—namely San Sebastian, Jose Rizal University, and the University of the East.
These three schools will be led by new coaches, starting with the Golden Stags, who will now be steered by Rob Labagala.
Labagala, best known for his stint with Ginebra in the PBA, now has his own team to organize after serving as an assistant for Josh Reyes in the Gilas Youth program and for Jeff Napa on the National University coaching staff.
The Heavy Bombers, another staple squad in the NCAA, will also have new leadership under coach Nani Epondulan.
Epondulan is no stranger to the NCAA. In fact, he won the league’s 1990 MVP award after playing for JRU. He is also experienced as a coach, having served as deputy for Mapua tactician Randy Alcantara.
UE, which created quite a buzz in the UAAP this past season, will also test its chemistry with new coach Chris Gavina in the preseason games presented by ABC Tile Adhesive.
Gavina, a seasoned PBA coach with Rain or Shine and Kia, will be testing his mettle at the collegiate level.
Before that, he will use the preseason as a measuring stick for Season 88, with Precious Momowei, Wello Lingolingo, and John Abate leading the charge.
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