After seven years, Paul Ramos has decided to step down as University of the Philippines head coach.
During the Fighting Maroons’ final game in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament against the De La Salle Lady Archers, Ramos wore a shirt that read, “Thank You, UP.”
Though the Fighting Maroons lost 75-73, the game became a celebration of Ramos’ contributions to the program.
“I think it’s about time. It’s the right time for a new mentor to take over. They deserve someone new, a fresh group that can take the entire organization to another level,” Ramos told Tiebreaker Times. “I feel I was able to give the momentum we needed and establish a clear vision, but I think it’s the right time for me to step aside.
“If I were selfish, I would stay — I want to stay, and I would want to continue. But I feel that everyone, even the players, deserves a change for the better.”
Also leaving UP are assistant coaches Carl Lazaro, Kooky Binamira, Marsha Faustino, Aldrin Ranara, Bryan Enrado, Emman Papa, and April Bartolome.
Ramos took over the program in UAAP Season 82, succeeding Kenneth Raval. His first season saw UP finish with a 1-13 record.
But post-pandemic, there were signs of growth under his leadership.
After going 6-8 in Season 85, the Fighting Maroons — led by Favour Onoh, Louna Ozar, Kaye Pesquera, Achrissa Maw, and Christie Bariquit — made the Final Four in Season 86, finishing the elimination round with a 10-4 record.
UP defeated UST in Game 1 of the Final Four, 88-80, to strip the Growling Tigresses of their playoff advantage. However, UST bounced back in Game 2 with an 87-83 win.
The program continued to face challenges. Onoh suffered a devastating knee injury in Season 87, leading to a 5-9 campaign for UP. Before Season 88, Onoh transferred to NCAA Division I school Oklahoma State.
In what became Ramos’ final season, UP finished with a 3-11 record.
“Of course, I’m nothing but proud. You can’t control the outcome, but I felt that everyone bought into the commitment to fight. There were big margins in some games, but that was because of the other team — they really played their part. Kudos to all of them,” Ramos said.
“For us, we executed our strategies and played to the best of our abilities. We fell short of some targets, of course, but I’m still very proud of how we built the team to where they are now. The relationships and chemistry they’ve developed will continue to show in the coming years. I hope to see it unfold in the future.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Ramos will now focus on a corporate job and take a break from basketball, though he hasn’t closed the door on returning.
“For now, it’s just to rest and recharge. I’ve devoted my life to UP for the past seven years, and I think I need to step back a little, recharge, and grow outside of basketball,” he said.
“Maybe in a couple of years, we’ll see what happens.”
UP is expected to enter Season 89 with an intact lineup, as no players are set to graduate or age out from this batch.
#WATCH: THANK YOU, UP
After seven years with the Fighting Maroons, Paul Ramos believes that it’s the right time for the program to have a new head coach ✊🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/97nNa2BO5Z
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times #UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/ApJlmW2vdE
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) November 22, 2025
