October 04, 2007

Coach Lipa's job in hang time

By Edgar Villar

By the end of the second round of the men’s basketball division in the UAAP 70th season, controversy surrounded the Fighting Maroons coach, Joe Lipa.

Resignation was inevitable and expected from Lipa after the 0-14 win-loss streak of the Maroons during the two rounds of elimination in the men’s basketball division. But controversy struck when the coach was reportedly removed from his position as coach of the team.

Professor Ronualdo Dizer, an instructor and coach at the College of Human Kinetics sheds light on the controversy. “It is recommendatory of the college (CHK) to preterminate his contract or not to renew his contract after its expiration on December”, Dizer said. He said that the college did not axe him per se but only “recommended” him to leave. “It is still up to Chancellor Cao to approve the college’s recommendation or not,” he said.

As of now, no decision from Chancellor Cao has been officially released giving Lipa some slack from the issues. But as early as it is, the coaching staff of the Fighting Maroons is now in search of the next head coach for the team.

Being the host of the 71st season next year, the pressure is now on UP to regain its former glory. No coaches have been named yet to head the Maroons but they are definitely going to name one sometime soon as preparation for next season.

When asked about Lipa’s chances of going back to coach the team again, Professor Dizer replies, “Let’s put it this way, kapag binastos ka na sa isang lugar, babalik ka pa ba?”

Some sectors of the UAAP community, however, reacted negatively to the treatment Lipa is getting from the UP administration. Forums have sprouted from all over the Internet with the Joe Lipa threads reading; “Joe Lipa deserves better” and “I love Coach Joe”.

Joe Lipa led a coaching career for the Maroons from 1981 to 1986, leading the team to five straight championships, three UAAP finals, and even the first and only championship title the Maroons have, back in 1986, when Benjie Paras was with the team.

Coach Joe also led the Ateneo Blue Eagles to their championship when he was their coach from 1999-2001. #

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