A University of the Philippines legend is back where it all began.
Eric Altamirano has returned to his alma mater, now entrusted with the task of leading the university’s women’s basketball team.
Altamirano was officially introduced on Wednesday as the team’s new head coach.
“I’ve come full circle. This is my way of giving back to the school that gave me the opportunity to start both my playing and coaching career,” said Altamirano, who helped lead UP to the UAAP championship in Season 49 (1986).
The veteran tactician first returned to the university in Season 59 (1996) to coach the UP Men’s Basketball Team before enjoying successful stints in the PBA with Purefoods, Mobiline, and Coca-Cola.
He later revitalized National University’s program, ending a 60-year title drought in Season 77 (2014).
Now, Altamirano hopes to replicate that success with his alma mater’s women’s squad — but he is keeping expectations grounded.
“I’ve been involved with women’s basketball for the last three years, and I fell in love with it. There’s a unique challenge in helping women’s basketball continue its rise, especially for my alma mater,” he said.
Altamirano has served as a consultant for Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Women since 2023 and Pilipinas Aguilas in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League in 2025.
“Of course, our long-term plan is to bring UP to the mountaintop. Pero for now, we need to take the necessary steps. Right now, what we want is sustainable competitiveness,” the founder of the NBTC added.
Altamirano succeeds Paul Ramos, who spent seven years building the foundation for the Fighting Maroons, highlighted by a Final Four run in Season 86.
Ramos and his staff — April Bartolome, Kooky Binamira, Bryan Enrado, Marsha Faustino, Carl Lazaro, Emman Papa, and Aldrin Ranara — also guided Louna Ozar to two Mythical Team selections and paved the way for Rookie of the Year Favour Onoh to take her talents to the U.S. NCAA.
“Laking pasasalamat natin kay coach Paul for giving seven years of his life to the WBT. Because of him and his staff, the pieces are already in place for us — it’s now up to Coach E and his own staff to put it all together,” said UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development Director Bo Perasol.
Altamirano will be bringing assistants Jeff Perlas, Paolo Layug, Anton Altamirano, and Gilas Women mainstay Mikka Cacho to Diliman as UP aims to bounce back from a 3-11, seventh-place finish in what was Ramos’ final season.
