Herbert Dizon, head coach of the University of the East Junior Warriors, passed away on Monday afternoon.
The beloved mentor succumbed to end-stage chronic kidney disease and pancreatic malignancy, according to his family.
Dizon had been confined since January 20 due to complications from his illnesses.
Just two months ago, he steered the Junior Warriors to the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Volleyball championship — a historic triumph for the program.
He took over the reins from Raffy Mosuela in UAAP Season 87 and quickly made his mark. In his first season with the Warriors, Dizon led the team to a Final Four appearance.
A season later, under his steady leadership, UE completed its redemption arc in Season 88, dethroning National University Nazareth School in a two-game sweep to capture the school’s first boys’ volleyball crown in 11 years.
“‘Yung performance namin ngayon, talagang medyo pressured kami, lalo na doon sa social media, ’di ba? They keep mentioning ‘yung 11 years na [championship drought],” Dizon had said during the championship run.
Despite the pressure, he guided his team with composure and belief.
His players — Paul Roque, Xandrex Ragusta, and Clarence Gianan — fondly remember Dizon as a true players’ coach who cared deeply for his athletes both on and off the court.
