By MARK REY MONTEJO
A legend is back at Diliman after Erik Altamirano was named on Wednesday as new coach of the University of the Philippines women’s basketball team.
Altamirano will have a tough mission in the coming UAAP Season 89 although he will have at his disposal two Gilas Pilipinas players in Camille Nolasco and Louna Ozar and veteran gunner Kaye Pesquera
This marks Altamirano’s second tour of duty to his alma mater having mentored the men’s quad in 1996.
Altamirano, Benjie Paras, and Ronnie Magsanoc formed a deadly trio for the Fighting Maroons that made history in 1986 dethroning the heavily favored University of the East Warriors.
“I’ve come full circle. This is my way of giving back sa school that gave me the opportunity to start my playing and coaching career,” said Altamirano, who succeeded Paul Ramos.
Ramon handled the Lady Maroons for seven years but had little success/
“Of course, our long-term plan is to bring UP to the mountaintop. Pero for now, we have to continue taking these many steps to get there. For now, what we want is sustainable competitiveness,” he added.
Out to provide help in his drive to the mountaintop are Jeff Perlas, Paolo Layug, Anton Altamirano, and Mikka Cacho, a seasoned Gilas Women cager.
The Lady Maroons finished 7th last season with a dismal 3-11 mark.
Before becoming an organizer of the basketball tournaments, Altamirano had head coaching and assistant stints with Purefoods, Mobiline, Coca-Cola, San Miguel, Alaska and Philippine youth teams.
Altamirano is looking for his second UAAP championship as a coach being the chief tactician of National University that reigned supreme in Season 77 at the expense of FEU, a feat that ended the school’s 60-year championship drought.
