Strong Group and the University of the East have appointed Matthew Sia as the new head coach of the Junior Warriors’ 16-and-under team, as they gear up to defend their UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Basketball crown starting this weekend.
Sia, 35, was a natural choice for UE after former head coach Andrew Estrella accepted a new role with Strong Group Athletics, taking the reins of the Letran Squires in the NCAA.
Sia’s bond with both Estrella and Junior Warriors’ 19-and-under mentor Karl Santos stretches back to their grade and high school days at La Salle Greenhills, where the trio first forged their shared basketball journey.
Sia’s coaching résumé is rich and varied. He served under Santos with the Greenies from 2015 to 2021 before the pandemic led him to chart his own path. Since then, Sia has taken on roles with the Letran Knights, Adamson Lady Falcons, PBA 3×3 teams, and multiple stints in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League with Imus, Pampanga, Bicol, and Valenzuela.
“Yung story was 2021, nawala na pandemic, coach Karl started at UE. Ako naman, nahiwalay ako sa grupo namin for a while,” Sia said.
After learning under mentors like Renzy Bajar, Bonnie Tan, Mon Amador, Bong Ramos, Raymond Valenzona, and Jerry Cordinera, Sia felt ready to return to high school basketball.
He initially joined the Junior Warriors’ staff as a skills coach at Santos’ invitation, but the moment Estrella announced his departure, Sia stepped forward to lead the team.
“Nagulat din ako na sinabi ni coach Karl na it’s time for me to be a head coach kasi nakita niyo naman na hindi kami magkasama pero he knows and he sees na nahihinog ako sa ibang leagues,” Sia shared.
Sia’s first tenure as a high school head coach benefits from immediate support. Both Estrella and Santos are part of his staff, ensuring continuity for a squad that saw 10 of its 11 players from the Season 87 championship move up to the 19-and-under division.
“Before he left, nag-sshadow na ako kay coach Andrew noon, I was doing yung mga utos and advice niya sa akin along with coach Karl. Talagang pinagtulungan nila ako to fast track yung transition,” Sia added.
For Sia, the mission is clear: continue the system that has produced talents such as Luis Pablo, Seven Gagate, Jacob Cortez, and JC Macalalag.
Beyond wins and losses, Sia emphasizes building character and laying a strong foundation for the young players.
“Sinasabi lang sa akin na huwag ako ma-pressure tsaka more than the wins and losses, talagang yung foundation and character ng mga bata ang tutukan. Yan yung walang sawa na sinasabi nila coach Karl and Andrew sa pag-mentor sa akin,” he said.
“I think proven na yung what they’re doing is really effective, especially when preparing you to the bigger stage. Yung system very important, itong mga bata kinuha namin, galing sa iba’t-ibang schools at province, ngayon lang sila naka-experience ng sistema and we’re really trying to mold them into smarter players and complete individuals,” Sia added.
The Junior Warriors will officially kick off their title defense against the NU-Nazareth Bullpups this Sunday, September 21, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, with Sia confident in the guidance of his mentors.
Santos will continue as an assistant coach, while Estrella assumes a consultant role as he leads Letran’s NCAA juniors’ campaign.
“Of course, syempre. Sabi ko nga, more minds is better for the team. Si coach Karl and coach Andrew, older brothers ko naman ito nung LSGH. Ang ganda ng relationship namin kasi since grade school kilala ko na itong mga ito talaga. Subok na ng panahon,” Sia concluded.
