What started as a disciplinary headache for University of the East snowballed into an unexpected opportunity for RJ Argamino.
When head coach Chris Gavina was slapped with a four-game suspension following his post-game tirade in UE’s overtime loss to De La Salle University last Wednesday, the Red Warriors faced the daunting task of keeping their UAAP Season 88 campaign afloat.
While Gavina could have leaned on a roster of PBA veterans in his coaching staff — KG Canaleta, Alex Cabagnot, Nick Demusis, Paolo Hubalde, and Louie Vigil — he instead entrusted the team to a familiar and trusted face: RJ Argamino.
The first-year UAAP coach turned to Argamino, a point guard he had long believed in since their Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League days with the Valenzuela Classic in 2018 and their reunion during the Taiwan Mustangs’ 2024 championship run in the Asian Tournament.
For Argamino, the sudden promotion was less of a surprise and more of a calling.
“We all know coach Chris, talagang yung passion niya, ‘yon din yung nagustuhan ko sa kanya. I really decided to follow him after playing. He was the one who gave me a chance to make a name for myself sa MPBL,” the former Benilde Blazer told Tiebreaker Times on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, the day of UE’s 76–95 loss to FEU.
“Isa siya sa mga coaches na alam mo na totoo siya — hindi ka isu-sugarcoat, sasabihin talaga niya sayo yung totoo. Truth hurts, yes, pero doon ka talaga matututo.”
(C) Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas
Argamino’s coaching philosophy, however, is not solely shaped by Gavina.
He credits his time under coach Eric Altamirano — from personalized training camps to a stint with Zamboanga-Family’s Brand Sardines in the MPBL — as foundational in his development both as a player and now as a mentor.
“Si Coach Eric Altamirano, talagang idol ko na coach ‘yon. Talagang kahit nung player pa siya, tinitingalaan ko na siya. Actually si Anton (Altamirano), barkada ko ‘yan ‘eh,” continued Argamino.
“Ang dami ko natutunan sa kanya lalo nung nag-coach ako sa kanila ‘eh. I started my coaching career kay Coach E talaga at ang dami ko natutunan doon.”
He also credits the lessons gleaned from former coaches at College of Saint Benilde and mentors like Gabby Velasco.
“Marami ‘eh. Nandiyan sila coach Gabby Velasco at yung mga naging coaches ko sa CSB. Lahat ng naging coaches ko, sobrang dami kong natutunan sa kanila, and I am very proud to have played for them and continue and bring their teachings here as a coach,” he said.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Calling the shots for UE until the first three games of the second round, Argamino remains focused on blending Gavina’s fiery coaching style with the wisdom of Altamirano.
He emphasizes collaboration with his staff — from assistant coaches to strength and conditioning trainers — to keep the team competitive while Gavina oversees practices from the sidelines.
“Collaborative effort pa rin naman. Ako and the coaching staff kay coach Alex, coach Pao, coach Nic, coach Louie, and yung strength and conditioning namin — lahat kailangan collaborative effort talaga. Tuloy-tuloy lang sa practice kasi nandoon pa rin naman si coach Chris. He’s handling the practices at nandoon pa rin kami na still learning from him,” said Argamino.
“All we have to do is silence the noise and we just have to work and go back to the drawing board para find a way para manalo para sa mga bata and of course, for the UE community na sumusuporta sa amin.”
