By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons just secured head coach Goldwin Monteverde to a five-year contract extension confirmed last January 15, 2024.
It was UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development (OASD) Director Bo Perasol who announced the latest off-season development for the Fighting Maroons.
“UP MBT management is committed to establishing continuity in the program to ensure the winning culture developed under Coach Gold is sustained,” said Perasol.
As soon as Monteverde took over the UP men’s basketball team, the Fighting Maroons immediately had a change of culture and won the UAAP title in his first year as a head coach last 2021.
After their championship run, the Monteverde-led UP squad made two straight UAAP grand final appearances and proved to be one of the best basketball organizations in collegiate basketball.
Despite failing to win another championship title in the past two years, Monteverde and his staff are still with high hopes that they can repeat their dominant run in the UAAP.
The Fighting Maroons finished the preliminary phase as the no. 1 seeded team and pummeled the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles during the Final Four.
They would then fall at the hands of the DLSU Green Archers during the best-of-three championship series which was also dubbed as one of the best do-or-die games in the history of the UAAP.
“UP MBT management is working on all fronts to further strengthen the team. Hindi lang ang lineup ng team ang iniintindi; they’re making sure we have a solid coaching staff, as well as the financial resources needed to support our basketball program,” added Perasol.
