When the final buzzer sounded last Sunday, cementing University of the Philippines’s second UAAP Men’s Basketball championship under his watch, Goldwin Monteverde stood at the center of the celebration.
Yet, as the confetti rained and the crowd roared, Monteverde took a moment to express his gratitude – not just to the student-athletes who left their hearts on the court, but to the unsung heroes of UP’s historic campaign: his coaching staff.
“Very thankful ako especially sa mga bata, na you know, from the start ng season after namin matalo last year. Araw-araw, tinatrabaho nila, how they worked hard for it. Even during the course of the season, ‘yung ups and downs namin, I’m very proud of each and everyone sa team namin,” Monteverde said.
“Thankful ako sa coaching staff na wala ring tigil. Pag wala sila, di ko rin magagawa ‘yung dapat kong gawin.”
Monteverde’s words shine a light on what many have come to call the biggest coaching staff in Philippine basketball today.
Including Monteverde himself, the Fighting Maroons are guided by an ensemble of 18 coaches, each bringing a unique expertise to the table.
At the helm of this “coaching village” is Nok Atienza, Monteverde’s right-hand man for over two decades.
From their early days at St. Stephen High School and Chiang Kai Shek College, Atienza has been the architect of Monteverde’s schemes a role he still plays at UP.
Alongside Atienza are Eric Gonzales and Egay Macaraya, two highly respected coaches in their own right.
Known as Monteverde’s sounding boards, the duo provides alternate angles and tactical insights, particularly during high-stakes moments.
UP’s offense is orchestrated by Christian Luanzon, a former Monteverde protégé at St. Stephen. Meanwhile, Tom Chua, an assistant of Monteverde since his days at Chiang Kai Shek, anchors the defense.
Together, they form the backbone of UP’s Xs and Os, ensuring the Fighting Maroons remain consistent and dynamic at the same time.
But the grind doesn’t stop there.
Patrick Tancioco of Better Basketball serves as the team’s skills and shooting coach, focusing on guard development – a role JD Cagulangan, UP’s Finals MVP, personally attested to.
“Si Coach Pat, malaki ang naitulong niya sa akin. Six in the morning pa lang nagtratrabaho na kami tapos mag-stay pa rin yan hanggang gabi sa practice namin,” shared Cagulangan.
On the other hand, big man coach Bernard De Guia – a burly figure on the sidelines – works with UP’s frontcourt players.
The preparation doesn’t end on the court.
Ryan Alba, a proud UP alumnus, together with Nico Tiongco, both handle the crucial task of video scouting and film breakdown. They both play a vital role in dissecting opponents’ plays and player tendencies.
UPIS 16-and-under coaches King Vergeire and Joshua Presbitero assist in dissecting opponents’ plays.
Strength and conditioning are managed by Dwight Demayo, Paolo Rivero, and physical therapist Eugene Leongson.
Finally, the day-to-day operations of the team are handled by Poch Juinio, Mo Gingerich, Kenneth Raval, and Rob Redula.
Juinio, Gingerich, and Raval are holdovers from the Bo Perasol era.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
As the Fighting Maroons celebrate another golden chapter in their basketball history, Monteverde and his coaching staff remind fans that championships are not just won by star players, but by the countless individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes.
Indeed, it takes a village.
