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Failing to make it to the UAAP Final Four for the eighth straight year, University of the East may just need a divine intervention moving forward.
And one name immediately comes to mind.
Koy Banal has bared his intentions to take the mantle for the Red Warriors as he hopes to be the successor to the post left by coach Derrick Pumaren.
“Yes, I’ve submitted my application,” he shared as he seeks to land the job and start the rebuild in preparation for UAAP Season 81.
Banal is no stranger to the collegiate scene, coaching Far Eastern University from 2000 to 2004 where he won a pair of titles with Arwind Santos leading the charge for the Tamaraws.
He also steered the San Beda Red Lions to the NCAA Season 82 championship in 2006 with Nigerian center Sam Ekwe leading the way, before steering the wheel for the Arellano Chiefs from 2011 to 2013.
Banal also took his act to the PBA when he served as the head coach for the Phoenix Fuel Masters from 2014 to 2016.
He is currently the head coach for Marinerong Pilipino in the PBA D-League, where he is assisted by his brother and fellow multi-titled mentor Joel Banal.
“UE is on a 31-year title drought. I’ve done it with San Beda after a 28-year drought. Coach Joel broke the 14-year drought for Ateneo [and he] will be my consultant if we’ll be given the chance,” said Banal. “We know what to do and how to do it.”
Though UE has yet to issue a statement on to what direction it wants the Red Warriors to go, Banal already has an inside track for the job as he is set to handle super scorer Alvin Pasaol with the Skippers this upcoming 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.
UE finished UAAP Season 80 at seventh place with a 3-11 record, which ultimately led to Pumaren’s ouster from the post.