Ariel Vanguardia emerged as the frontrunner for the head coaching position of University of the East (ue) in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.

A reliable DAILY TRIBUNE source said the UE search committee is said to be seriously considering Vanguardia for the role for his vast collegiate and professional experience as well as his solid international connections.

Vanguardia, in fact, is one of the international scouts for the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

He even served as part of the staff of Atlanta coach Ron Nored during the NBA Summer League last year in Las Vegas, where his primary responsibility was to work on the development of international players, including top overall pick Zaccharie Risacher of France.

Now, the 19-year-old rookie is flying high with the Hawks, averaging 10.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in the NBA regular season.

Should Vanguardia clinch the UE coaching job, recruitment will not be a problem due to his strong international connections, especially in the leading high school institutions in the United States.

After all, tapping US-raised talents is nothing new in the UAAP after University of the Philippines tapped Jacob Bayla from Valley Christian High School and Quentin Millora-Brown from Rice University — two players who keyed its march to Season 87 throne.

“He has an edge,” a source said, referring to Vanguardia’s application which was said to be submitted in the last week of December.

“He had coached in almost all levels in the country from the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) to the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) and MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) so we won’t be surprised if he emerges as one of the favorites to bag the (coaching) role at UE.”

Aside from Vanguardia, also formally submitting his application is former Rain or Shine coach Chris Gavina, who just wrapped up his stint with the Taichung Suns in Taiwan’s T1 League.

Sideliners claim that National Basketball Training Center chief Eric Altamirano is also being considered although he has yet to formally submit his application.

The source said there is a pressing need for the Red Warriors to pick the right coach as they missed the Final Four of Season 87 under Jack Santiago.

With that, some players have reportedly expressed their intention to leave with their decision depending on who the school will hire as its next head coach.