By J. Terrado - Manila Bulletin - July 3, 2008
Having lost all its 14 games last season, the 71st UAAP season host University of the Philippines has turned into a former UP graduate in the hope of turning the team’s fortunes around in the next few years.
The Fighting Maroons has tapped many-time assistant Aboy Castro, a chemical engineering graduate, to be Joe Lipa’s successor in the year where State U celebrates in centennial anniversary.
Castro, a many-time assistant in the amateur and the pro ranks, as well as with the RP national team, will bring his credentials and coaching system to a rebuilding Maroons squad that lost by an average of 20.1 points a contest.
"Last season, we lost games by as many as 20 points or more," Castro said. "Our goal for this year is to be able to be a competitive team, especially during the fourth quarter," Castro said.
UP hasn’t been to the final four since 1997 and to dig deeper into that, it has been 22 years ago since Lipa and center Benjie Paras hoisted the UAAP crown.
While Castro wants to see a winning team in due time, he has to go through the tough stretches of fixing the team from scratch.
"It’s going to be a long process," Castro said. "It’s not going to be done overnight so we’re in it for the long haul."
UP enters the season with its core intact, led by last year’s leading scorer Mike Gamboa, along with fellow third-year standouts Migs de Asis, Martin Reyes, and 2006 rookie of the year Woody Co.
Gamboa, one of the exciting guards in the league, was a top contender for the Rookie of the Year honor but lost it after they failed to win a single game.
He hopes to reprise his stellar role again.
The loss of VJ Serios and Soc Rivera in the frontline will make room for former RP Youth member Kevin Astorga, and lanky southpaw Magi Sison, who had a stint with San Mig Coffee in the PBL.
Prized addition Mike Silungan, who put up nearly 20 points a game during the Nike Summer League, could have helped the team this year. However, Silungan carries a dual citizenship which would require him to serve a two-year residency.
Despite that, Castro hopes to have him fully developed once he is eligible to play.
For now, sa Team B muna siya and let him play in the Father Martin tournaments," he said.
State U will not bolster any rookies for the coming wars but several players from Team B have been elevated such as guard Paul Sorongon and Mark Anthony Reyes. Both came in high-profile exposures during the preseason as Sorongon joined Sison in the PBL’s Coffee Kings for limited minutes, while Reyes spent some time in the national youth team.
"It’s good to see both of them get some exposure in a high-profile level," Castro mentioned on his two players. "Nakakadagdag din ng kumpinsiya ang makasali sa PBL and sa RP Youth and madadala mo yung experience na nakuha nila going into the UAAP."
Aside from a new coach, the team also added some new faces in the coaching staff in PBA legend Jerry Codinera and former Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws head coach Potit de Vera.
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