UAAP champ Altamirano heads SEAG coaching candidates

UAAP champion coach Eric Altamirano of National University leads the list of collegiate mentors who are candidates to handle the men’s national team for the Southeast Asian Games.

Also being considered, a source told the Inquirer Wednesday, were FEU’s Nash Racela, NU sports director Junel Baculi, former Letran mentor Louie Alas and Arellano U’s Jerry Codiñera.

The defending champion squad will be made up of cadet players from the Gilas Pilipinas program along with naturalized center Marcus Douthit.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has forwarded the names of the coaches and 50 players to the Philippine Olympic Committee for accreditation to the Singapore Games on June 6 to 15.

The source said a committee headed by SBP executive director Sonny Barrios will name the coach within the month.

Former San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez, who steered the Lions to a remarkable fifth straight title in the NCAA last year, was stricken off the list after he was tapped to coach the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA.

Codiñera got the attention of the SBP when the Chiefs finished with a strong performance in the NCAA despite losing the championship to the Lions.

Kobe Paras, Ray Parks, Garvo Lanete, Ateneo’s Kiefer Ravena, FEU’s Mike Tolomia, NCAA MVP Scottie Thompson of Perpetual, La Salle’s Jeron Teng and Arnold Van Opstal head the cast of players strongly considered for Singapore.