UNIVERSITY of the East coach Boycie Zamar assured yesterday that he’s “200 percent committed” to the Warriors in their campaign in the UAAP Season 76 basketball tournament which gets going this Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“The most important thing now is the UAAP,” said Zamar, who was recently tapped as Ginebra assistant coach in the PBA, during a media lunch hosted by UE yesterday at Manila Yacht Club.
“I’m 200 percent committed to UE,” added Zamar. “I think there’s no conflict since there are other coaches who also work as PBA assistants. And if ever there will be a conflict, I will give priority to UE.”
Although finishing seventh last year, the Warriors boosted their stock no end after topping a preseason tournament over UAAP top contender National University recently.
Zamar will serve as an assistant to Alfrancis Chua in Ginebra, one of the three San Miguel Corp. teams shuffling its coaching staff.
PBA legend Allan Caidic and Juno Sauler will leave their job as Ginebra assistants to work full time instead with La Salle, which is supported by San Miguel Corp. chair Danding Cojuangco.
Sauler has also taken over the La Salle coaching duties from Gee Abanilla, who has been tasked to focus on his deputy role with another San Miguel team, Petron Blaze.
“For any coach, [an opportunity like this] is for your enhancement,” said Zamar, whose last involvement in the PBA was in the 2002 Asian Games where he served as an assistant to the all-pro national team.
“If UE can produce PBA players, this time the coaches are also stepping up. Our coaching capabilities are recognized and we’re flattered.”
Several UAAP coaches are doing double-duty including Adamson coach Leo Austria, who recently steered San Miguel Beer to the Asean Basketball League (ABL) crown.
Austria is also being eyed as successor to Petron coach Olsen Racela as soon as his varsity commitment ends.
Zamar said even before his hookup with crowd-darling Ginebra, he has received coaching offers from other teams in the PBA, ABL and PBA D-League.
The Warriors will be led by star guard Roi Sumang and African center Charles Mammie.
“We also won in [pocket tournaments] in Malaysia and Indonesia, so we hope we can carry that to the UAAP,” said UE team manager Jesus Tanchanco.