Search for Lions mentor starts as Jarin joins Bulldogs

With Jamike Jarin set to be named coach of National University in the UAAP, two former champion mentors in the NCAA and a PBA legend have been floated as among the choices to call the shots for the San Beda Red Lions, who will be gunning for back-to-back crowns next season.

Boyet Fernandez, who piloted the Lions to the title three years ago before moving to NLEX in the PBA, ex-Letran coach Louie Alas and former PBA and national team star Jimmy Alapag are tipped to replace Jarin, sources said.

Although Jarin himself has declined to comment on his possible move, all signs point to him transferring to National U, just three months after guiding the Red Lions to the crown.

Sensitive

“It’s a sensitive matter which I can only comment on once everything is final,” said Jarin, who has already informed the Lions of his impending departure during their practice yesterday.

Jose Mari Lacson, the NCAA Management Committee chair from San Beda, said there is no official word yet from San Beda rector Fr. Aloysius Ma. Maranan, OSB, on Jarin’s departure.

“I just learned today (yesterday) he (Jarin) already said his goodbyes to the players but I’m still waiting for official word from Fr. Rector (Maranan),” said Lacson in a press release forwarded to media offices.

The Bulldogs coaching job opened up after Eric Altamirano resigned at the end of UAAP Season 79 late last month, just two seasons after leading the Sampaloc-based school to its first men’s basketball crown in 60 years.

Jarin’s move will mark the second time in as many years that an NCAA champion coach moves to a UAAP school, after ex-Letran tactician Aldin Ayo did the same last season when he took the job at La Salle.

Ayo, who beat Jarin’s San Beda team in their first season as NCAA coaches in the finals, steered the Green Archers to a 16-1 record this year on their way to a ninth UAAP crown.

Impressive list

Jarin’s potential replacements have impressive resumes with Fernandez leading the Lions to the 2013 and 2014 NCAA crowns—the last two of their run of five straight championships.

He coached the Road Warriors in the PBA, before he was replaced by Yeng Guiao at the start of the season.

Currently the chief deputy of coach Alex Compton at Alaska in the PBA, Alas, who was also a candidate for the Perpetual Help coaching job last year, won three NCAA titles as Letran coach from 2002 to 2012. His son, Kenneth, is currently part of the Red Lions lineup.

The San Beda job could be Alapag’s first coaching break after retiring from the PBA.