Joe Ward is current favorite to land UP coaching job – source

MANILA, Philippines – Former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) import Joe Ward is considered the current favorite to land the head coaching job of the UP Fighting Maroons, a source told Rappler on Sunday, March 22. 

Ward, who right now is the interim head coach of the Maroons, took over the team following the departure of Rey Madrid, who coached University of the Philippines to a 1-13 record in last year’s UAAP men’s basketball tournament. 

Ward is also currently coaching the Maroons in the debut season of the Filsports Basketball Association, where UP has an affiliate franchise called the Diliman Fighting Maroons. 

On Friday, March 20, Ward confirmed to Rappler that he was one of the candidates who applied for the position that became vacant after Madrid’s contract expired on December 31, 2014, but said that there is no confirmation yet regarding who the search committee has selected to be the long-term coach. 

According to Inquirer.net’s Beth Celis, the committee includes Philippine Azkals and Fighting Maroons team manager Dan Palami, GlobalPort Batang Pier team consultant Pido Jarencio, UP athletic director Ariel Juliano, UP alum Bong Somera, Artemio Isidro, and Rene Balmaceda, 

On Sunday, Rappler reached out to Palami to confirm the news. The team manager responded by saying “No confirmation. The committee is yet to meet for final deliberations.” 

“As of this time, [Ward] is only acting as interim since we have to field a coach for [the] FBA League. In a week or two, we will finalize selection.”

The source told Rappler that Ward is one of the three best options being considered, but is the favorite right now.  

The source also mentioned that the head coaching job was offered to Jarencio, who coached the UST Growling Tigers from 2006-2013 and handled the Batang Pier during the 2014 PBA Governors’ Cup and 2015 PBA Philippine Cup. 

However, Jarencio, who led UST to a UAAP title in his rookie year and to the finals in his last season, declined the offer.

The source also said that current Meralco Bolts and Ateneo Blue Eagles assistant coach Ronnie Magsanoc is a preferred option of the committee, but there have been no developments between both sides.

Magsanoc won a UAAP title as a player for the Fighting Maroons in 1986 along with Benjie Paras and Eric Altamirano.  

Magsanoc also coached the San Beda Red Lions to an NCAA men’s basketball title during the 2012 season. Right now, Magsanoc is coaching the Hapee Fresh Fighers in the PBA D-League.

– With reports from Jaelle Nevin Reyes/Rappler.com