Allan Albano will be back in charge as head coach of defending UAAP High School Boys’ Basketball champion Far Eastern University-Diliman, as Mike Reyes returns to his role as head of basketball operations of the school.
The move was formalized by FEU-Diliman following the Baby Tamaraws’ triumph in the UAAP Season 88 tournament last March 30.
“Right after Game 3, after the boys celebrated, Mark (Molina) asked me if I should make the announcement? I said, ‘Yes!’ So I turned over the program to Coach Allan. Ako na ata ang pinakamasaya because magkakaroon ng continuity sa program namin,” said Reyes, who served as concurrent head of basketball operations and interim head coach of FEU-D for Season 88.
“It’s my mantra that the life of a coach is always looking forward and planning for the next season.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
FEU athletics director Mark Molina said the decision had long been in place since the school brought Albano back into the fold last January 22.
“Even before Coach Allan officially returned, we already had a clear direction for the program. It was always about stability and continuity for FEU basketball. Everything we do is anchored on long-term development,” said Molina.
Albano and FEU-D parted ways after Season 87 before his return early this year.
A two-time Boys’ Basketball champion coach and a two-time Women’s Basketball champion during seasons 74 and 75, Albano expressed his excitement in returning to the program.
“Masaya ako, siyempre. It feels amazing to be back at FEU-D. Happy talaga ako to reunite with the team and see familiar faces again. I’m excited to teach, guide, and support them once more. It’s truly great to be back coaching, and what I look forward to the most is helping them grow,” said Albano.
“I’m really glad na makatrabaho uli si Coach Mike. When FEU asked me to come back, I got thrilled — partly because I get to work with Coach Mike again. Even during our time in the MPBL, I enjoyed working with him, despite it being only a short period. From the start, we had good chemistry in managing a team together.”
He went on, “That’s why now that we’re together again at FEU, even though the season was already ongoing when I rejoined, we didn’t have a hard time adjusting. In fact, it helped make our team even more solid and further strengthened our chemistry.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Reyes’ focus is to equip the Baby Tamaraws with strong fundamentals as part of a unified development system across all levels of FEU basketball.
“Right now, I’ll be focusing on making sure our program is geared toward developing the fundamentals of our high school players. What’s important is that from the Baby Tamaraws up to the Tamaraws seniors, we’re building the same foundation and direction. Kailangan iisa ang direksyon at sistema para tuloy-tuloy ang development ng players,” said Reyes.
Albano added that the shared vision within the coaching staff will be key in sustaining FEU’s long-term success.
“I’m here to help achieve our shared goal — Coach Mike’s, mine, and FEU’s — by always doing what’s best for the team. What makes it easier is that Coach Mike and I share the same vision which is to find and identify, work with, and develop quality players who we can bring to FEU’s college team and, of course, help them progress to the professional level,” Albano added.
“And, at the same time, to support and push them to finish their studies habang pinu-pursue nila ang dream nila of becoming great basketball players. Together with that, we focus on instilling the right culture and attitude, both on and off the court.”
