New deputies reinforce college squads

The brilliance of newly-hired assistant coaches is on full display in the ongoing PlayTime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup at PlayTime Cares Filoil EcoOil in San Juan.

University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) squads are parading topnotch deputies as they seek to achieve glory in the collegiate ranks.

Powerhouse University of the Philippines, for one, had added Wilson Ang to its roster of coaches, giving head coach Goldwin Monteverde an extra hand in their quest for back-to-back UAAP titles.

Coming off a triumphant performance in the Division 2 of the 2025 NBTC National Finals, the St. Jude College of Dasmariñas mentor is the newest face on the Fighting Maroons bench as they seek to win the ECJ Perpetual Trophy by being the first team to win the premier preseason league for three straight years.

“We’ve been with him for quite some time, and we know that he has a lot to contribute,” Monteverde said.

On the other hand, University of the East coach Chris Gavina has bolstered his bench with the hiring of former Philippine Basketball Association players Alex Cabagnot and Paulo Hubalde ahead of Season 88 of the UAAP.

Over at Far Eastern University, Chot Reyes’ younger brother, Mike Reyes, has recently been named as the new basketball program director while Alvin Grey rejoins Pido Jarencio’s staff at University of Santo Tomas.

The same is the case for teams in the NCAA.

Reigning champion Mapua University added Marion Martin and Red Robins tactician JR dela Cruz to coach Randy Alcantara’s coaching staff while Letran College tapped former University of San Jose-Recoletos mentor Melo Banua to join the staff of Allen Ricardo.

Not to be outdone, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta had given head coach Olsen Racela a veteran presence on the bench with the hiring of multi-titled junior coach Allan Albano while rookie coaches Nani Epondulan will have former Golden Staglets coach JM Martin to bank on, and Rob Labagala of San Sebastian College will be depending on Gilbert Lao and Melo Navarro to underscore their powerhouse coaching staff.