The Columbian Dyip turnaround just suffered another a major bump.
Ricky Dandan, the franchise’s third-ever head coach, resigned as head coach of Columbian, Monday evening.
In a letter, Dandan cited that he needed to shift his sole focus to the upcoming UAAP Season 81 Men’s Basketball campaign of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons as the reason of his sudden resignation.
“Since January I have focused all of my efforts full time as head coach of Columbian and, when time permitted, I attended the practices of the UP Men’s Basketball Team,” he expressed.
“My personal decision now is to concentrate all of my attention, effort, and energy full time on helping coach Bo Perasol and the UP Fighting Maroons in our quest for the Final Four this forthcoming UAAP season.”
UP are currently on an upward trend under Perasol’s watch.
In his first year as Fighting Maroons chief tactician, UP finished with a 5-9 record back in Season 79. The squad then improved to 6-8 a season later – just a full game behind fourth-running FEU.
With a stacked roster that includes transferees Bright Akhuetie and JD Tungcab, highly-touted recruits in David Murell and Evyn Santiago, and the final year of Gilas cadet Paul Desiderio, the Fighting Maroons are pressured to finally make it to the Final Four after missing out for the last 20 years.
On the other hand, the Dyip have improved under Dandan.
Columbian currently own a 4-7 record in the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup and are still in contention for a playoff spot. Dandan amassed a 5-15 card with Columbian.
Still, Dandan is grateful for the opportunity given to him by Team Governor Bobby Rosales and Team Manager Joe Lipa.
“Most of all, I am deeply grateful to all of our players. It was an honor and a privilege to have served them.”
