JOE Silva just won one game last season with University of the East. DAVID JOHN CUBANGBANG

Joe Silva stepped down from his post as head coach University (UE), a day before Season 82 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament kicks off.

A highly-placed source told Daily Tribune yesterday that Silva tendered his resignation to UE president Ester Garcia and the Red Warriors named their patron Bong Tan as interim coach with Lawrence Chongson as active consultant.

The UE coaching saga finally came to an end as Chongson reportedly handling the team’s practices since June, something that did not sit well with Silva, who signed a three-year deal with the Recto-based team.

In fact, when UE went to Taiwan for a mini-tournament, it was Chongson who called the shots and not Silva.

Last week, Silva met with UE president Dr. Ester Garcia to bring up the matter and the latter reportedly told Chongson not to attend the practices and games of the Red Warriors anymore.

That led to a meeting among Garcia, Tan, Silva and Chongson and they all agreed to have a status quo, meaning Silva will remain the coach and Chongson as active consultant.

But this won’t happen anymore as Silva, who had a 1-13 win-loss campaign for the Red Warriors in Season 81, decided to leave the UE camp.

“Coach Joe did not like the set up so he just relinquished his post,” said the source, who requested not to be named.

When the UAAP held a press conference last Sunday to open the new season, Silva was the only missing coach and Rod Roque represented UE in his behalf. Roque, when asked by reporters, said Silva remained the head coach of the Red Warriors.

Another sourced told Daily Tribune that Silva agreed to resign after UE bought out the remainder of his three-year contract.