The USC Warriors pulled off an upset over the UAAP runners-up FEU Tamaraws last November 13. With great resurgence of the Warriors, questions might be asked on whether their head coach Junthy Valenzuela will bring his coaching skills back in Manila.
Moved in the Philippine Basketball Association as a direct hire of the Red Bull Barako. In his stint with Barako, Junthy won two championships under Coach Yeng Guiao in 2001 and 2006. Valenzuela, however, was traded to Ginebra Gin Kings where he helped the Kings win their 2008 Fiesta Conference Championship – the franchise’s latest crown up to date.
Some years after his retirement, after his championship with the Gin Kings, he found his way back to his first love – basketball but in a different capacity. He was appointed as head coach of the University of San Carlos to re-align the campaign of the university which he brought in the CESAFI finals this year.
While doing great in his coaching duties in Cebu, some might really wonder if he dreams of going back to Manila for other coaching opportunities.
“Sa ngayon walang plans dahil focus muna dito sa San Carlos and May inaasikaso pa kasi sa probinsya,” said Valenzuela as he still looks to strengthen his current team in Cebu.
Though not rushing things at the moment, Valenzuela is not closing doors on opportunities as he quipped “Let’s see. Tignan lang natin, wala pa naman for now.”
Currently, Junthy Valenzuela’s team is bracketed with DLSU, NU, and AU in Group A of the PCCL Elite Eight.
