Sources: Jarin, Napa eyed as new NU coach

Jamike Jarin (left) and Jeff Napa. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Less than two weeks after the departure of coach Eric Altamirano, sources close to the situation bared that National University has already cut the shortlist to just two names.

San Beda mentor Jamike Jarin and Letran coach Jeff Napa are said to have an inside track to handle the vacant post for the Bulldogs.

Other sources corroborated the news, saying that the school is split between Jarin and Napa.

NU management, led by Manny Sy of New Golden City Builders, is said to be favoring Jarin, while the alumni
want Napa to take over.

Jarin recently led the Red Lions to the championship in NCAA Season 92, dispatching Arellano in two games. He’s only in his second season of his four-year contract in Mendiola.

However, the outspoken mentor remains non-committal with the news, saying that he hasn’t been approached by the school or the management.

“Wala pa,” Jarin told INQUIRER.net

Napa, meanwhile, has been with NU ever since his playing career and has steered the Bullpups to three juniors titles.

He served as an assistant to Manny Dandan in 2005 and continued to be in the staff under Altamirano, while remaining as the head coach for the juniors squad.

Napa also called the shots for Letran this past season, but failed to make it to the Final Four with a 9-9 record.

He has yet to respond to calls as of posting time.

Altamirano resigned from his position last month after six fruitful seasons with NU. He led the Bulldogs to their first title in 60 years back in 2014.