Unso taps new Patafa coaches; Posadas back

JOJO POSADAS is back as coach of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association.

Renato Unso, Patafa secretary general, announced yesterday that Posadas, husband and coach of former track ace Elma Muros, will be tapped to serve the national squad along with former track and field stars Arniel Ferrera, Rene Herrera and John Lozada.

“Jojo will play a major role in the talent identification program and development of players in the national team,” said Unso.

Posadas left Patafa and ventured into the collegiate ranks due to differences with former Patafa chief Go Teng Kok.  They later reconciled.

“He gained the highest score in my one-on-one interview for aspiring coaches. I think Patafa needs somebody like him in the national team,” said Unso.

Among the outstanding talents that Posadas discovered were Mercedita Manipol, Fidel Gallenero, Jesson Ramil Cid and Christopher Ulboc, gold medalist in the steeplechase of the recent Singapore Southeast Asian Games.

Posadas is the head coach of the University of the East in the UAAP and Jose Rizal U in the NCAA.

Ferrera, a multiple hammer throw gold medalist in the SEA Games, helped Filipino-American Caleb Stuart prevail in the hammer throw during the Singapore Games.

Patafa is currently revamping its roster of national coaches and the athletes.

“We think it’s about time for him to take coaching on a full-time basis. He has been patiently helping Caleb since he got here last year,” said Unso of Ferrera.

Herrera is a five-time steeplechase champion in the SEA Games while Lozada once held the SEA Games record in the men’s 800m.