In an announcement made on Thursday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City, former National University Bulldogs head coach Eric Altamirano announced his return to coaching, as he is set to mentor incoming PBA D-League team Flying V Thunder in the upcoming 2017 Foundation Cup.
“There were coaches in mind but Coach Eric has the best pedigree. Yung apo ni Mr. Raffy Villavicencio is attending Coach E’s school. Nung nakita niya, ‘sabi niya si Coach E ang gusto namin.’ Mr. Villavicencio also has a strong relationship with Coach E,” team manager Joey Guillermo shared.
Altamirano previously mentored the BDO-NU Bulldogs during the 2016 Aspirants Cup, but this will be his first time to coach an independent D-League team.
“I just want to tell you that I’m excited to coach the Flying V Thunder and in the D-League. This is my second time to coach in the D-League but mostly it was school-based. This is my first-time to coach in the D-League with a different team,” Altamirano said.
Last November 25, Altamirano and his coaching staff “resigned” from National University after a six-year stay in Jhocson Street.
With his vision, the 50-year-old mentor had a successful six years with NU, resulting in a UAAP championship and four Final Four appearances. He compiled a 50-43 record with NU, 46-38 in the regular season.
Altamirano will be joined by Vic Ycasiano and Joey Guanio, both part of his staff in NU. The team, on the other hand, will be composed of former Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University stars — including former AMA Online Education Titan Jeron Teng.
“This all started dun sa naudlot na CWBL but the owner, Mr. Raffy Villavencio, is really passionate about basketball. Right now, he decided to have a commercial team and will see where it will go from there,” Guillermo added. “They want a competitive team that will compete for a championship.”
The Flying V Thunder will use the 2017 Filoil Flying V Premier Cup as their main tune-up heading into the Foundation Cup.
