UNIVERSITY of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde will remain with the Katipunan squad after signing a five-year contract extension, the team said on Monday, January 15.
According to the UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development’s post on Facebook, the UP Men’s Basketball Team (MBT) has reached an agreement with the highly decorated tactician to continue what they’ve started with their amazing program.
UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development (OASD) director Bo Perasol made the decision to keep Monteverde, ensuring the promising future of the existing squad and athletes who have yet to don the UP jersey.
“UP MBT management is committed to establishing continuity in the program to ensure the winning culture developed under coach Gold is sustained,” said Perasol.
Under Monteverde, the UP MBT reached the finals three years in a row in Seasons 84, 85 and 86, thanks to star-studded lineups that he attracted during recruitment.
In his first year in charge of UP in UAAP Season 84, he led the team to its first championship since 1986 followed by back-to-back silver medals—a promising streak.
“I am very grateful for the continued support and unwavering trust of UP and MBT management,” said the former UAAP champion coach, thanking the whole UP community.
“In turn, itutuloy lang namin yung lagi naming ginagawa to keep improving in all aspects. As always, we will continue to UP Fight for next season and the foreseeable future,” said Monteverde.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
According to Perasol, UP president Angelo Jimenez and UP Diliman chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan II approved the new arrangement between the talented strategist and the UP MBT management.
The UP management was also able to obtain the assistance of banking behemoth BPI recently, thanks to the efforts of their enthusiastic alumni.
“UP MBT management is working on all fronts to further strengthen the team. Hindi lang ang lineup ng team ang iniintindi; they’re making sure we have a solid coaching staff, as well as the financial resources needed to support our basketball program,” said Perasol.
UP MBT boss Atty. Agaton Uvero added that the Fighting Maroons’ supporters “agree that coach Gold should be given the reins of the team, as his record the past three seasons speaks for itself.”
“Under coach Gold, the team’s record has improved year-to-year but our decision is not based on his performance alone,” said Uvero in a statement.
“His conduct and demeanor on and off the court has been exemplary and this is the kind of mentorship we believe our players can benefit from,” he said.
Coming from back-to-back runner-up finishes and the recent loss of top high school talent Jared Bahay’s commitment to UP, Monteverde aims to lead a rookie-laden Fighting Maroons team.
