New UE head coach Jack Santiago meets team

MANILA, Philippines — Longtime deputy Jack Santiago landed the biggest break of his coaching career as the new chief mentor of University of the East.

Santiago, who served as an assistant to multititled mentor Franz Pumaren ever since their days with De La Salle  over two decades ago, met the Red Warriors for the first time on Monday, the school announced in a press release.

Apart from La Salle, Santiago was also part of Pumaren’s coaching staff at Air21, GlobalPort and most recently at Adamson.

Santiago, who was joined by UE President and Chief Academic Officer Ester A. Garcia and Department of Physical Education Director Rodrigo M. Roque, in the meeting, will be tasked to guide a team that has not made the Final Four for the past 11 seasons.

He took over the Red Warriors’ helm from the late Bong Tan and consultant Lawrence Chongson.

UE, which underwent its fourth coaching change in four years, finished with the second-worst record in UAAP Season 82 at 4-10.