Home is where the heart is Altamirano faces new mission in UP return

Eric Altamirano has returned to familiar ground, but this time, he is looking to build something new.

After 40 years, the former University of the Philippines (UP) star playmaker is back home as he was tasked to steer the school’s women’s basketball team, a job he accepted only a few months before the start of Season 89 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

The timing was far from ideal, with UP starting its preparations later than most of its rivals.

But Altamirano said the transition has been smooth and the players have responded well to his system.

“It’s been good. It’s been very smooth. Although, compared to the preparations of the other teams, we started a bit late,” Altamirano said during an episode of “Off the Court,” the weekly online sports show of DAILY TRIBUNE.

“But I’m really happy with what I saw in our preparations, including our practices and games before the start of the UAAP. We’re hoping that we can translate those preparations into the new season.”

The early results have been encouraging.

UP opened its campaign with an 89-82 victory over Kacey dela Rosa-led Ateneo de Manila University on 30 September at the Mall of Asia Arena, giving Altamirano a winning return to the league after nearly a decade away from coaching.

“First of all, it’s good to be back here in the UAAP. We’re happy with the outcome of the game; it was kind of scary for us,” said Altamirano, who last coached National University’s men’s team in 2016.

“It was a come-from-behind; we had to dig deep, especially in the fourth quarter.”

Coming home

For the 60-year-old Altamirano, taking over his alma mater’s women’s team was a decision he did not need to think twice about.

Before becoming known for establishing the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC), Altamirano played for the Maroons and helped UP win the UAAP men’s basketball title in 1986 alongside Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc. He was also named Finals Most Valuable Player.

“They gave me an opportunity and opened doors for me, so it wasn’t a hard decision to take on the job,” Altamirano said.

“I wanted to take on a women’s coaching job. I fell in love with it. It was something that I was very interested in, and that’s why I’m here at UP.”

His priority, however, goes beyond installing a system.

Altamirano wants to change the way his players approach practices, games and the daily grind of improving.

“First, we wanted to correct the bad habits. Then, how to approach practices and how to approach games. And, of course, instilling in them the mindset that if we prepare really well, good things will happen,” said Altamirano, who took over from former UP coach Paul Ramos.

“What we always say in practice is to focus on the process and not the results. We always think about the results, but the point now is to get better and improve one day at a time. We always ask ourselves every day, ‘Have we improved even one percent?’”

With Louna Ozar, Kaye Pesquera, Achrissa Maw and Camille Nolasco leading the way, expectations are high for a UP team hoping to return to the Final Four after finishing Season 88 with a 3-11 record.

But while Altamirano has returned to the UAAP sidelines, his work with the NBTC remains an important part of his basketball life.

Shaping the future

For years, the NBTC program has focused on discovering young talent and giving players opportunities to pursue both basketball and education.

Gilas Pilipinas stars such as Kai Sotto, Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo came through the NBTC before making their mark at higher levels.

Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green also competed in the NBTC National Finals in 2018 and 2019, including the memorable moment when he posterized Sotto before eventually being selected second overall in the 2021 National Basketball Association Draft.

“It was a privilege having Jalen Green come to play in the NBTC National Finals for two consecutive years. His commitment to come to the Mall of Asia Arena and play in Manila displayed his love for his Filipino roots, and we were honored to have him,” Altamirano said.

For Altamirano, though, basketball has never been the end goal. It is a vehicle that can open doors to education and a better future, particularly for young players from far-flung areas of the Philippines and abroad.

“It’s really heartwarming to see that they are very successful and that, in our own little way, we were able to help them,” Altamirano said.

Now, Altamirano wants to extend that mission to women’s basketball.

For the first time in 17 years, the NBTC will hold a national finals for its U19 women’s division. The tournament, scheduled for March at the MOA Arena, will feature teams from the Philippines and overseas, including the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.

His experience in FIBA Asia 3x3 further convinced Altamirano of the potential of the women’s game and the need for more organizations and companies to invest in its growth.

“I hope this will just be the start,” Altamirano said.

That also explains why Altamirano’s return to UP is about more than winning basketball games. He is trying to build a team while developing players who can contribute to a bigger movement in Philippine women’s basketball.

The UAAP challenge remains daunting, particularly with UP getting a late start and adjusting to a new system but Altamirano is not looking too far ahead.

For now, his message remains simple: get better every day.

“Have we improved even one percent?”

It is a question he wants his players to keep asking themselves, one game at a time.