Former University of the East head coach Chris Gavina in UAAP Season 88. File photo/UAAP Media.MANILA — University of the East officially announced Paulo Hubalde as the acting head coach of the UE Red Warriors, saying ex-mentor Chris Gavina has opted to “pursue” new opportunities.
READ: New UE interim coach Hubalde urges Red Warriors to rediscover pride
“We sincerely thank Coach Chris for the time, energy and heart he invested in our student-athletes and in the UE basketball program,” said UE President and Chief Academic Officer Zosimo Battad in a statement.
Under Gavina, the Red Warriors went winless in their last 16 games, with UE also extending its total skid to 23 dating back to the second round of UAAP Season 87 in 2024.
Still, Battad expressed his gratitude to Gavina for helping set up UE’s future in UAAP men’s basketball.
“He came to UE with valuable experience from the professional and international game, and he shared that experience with our young Red Warriors. As one UE family, we respect his decision to pursue new opportunities and wish him well in his new chapter,” Battad said.
Hubalde, also the head coach of UE’s Under-16 team in UAAP high school basketball, already took over Gavina’s spot in the Red Warriors’ 70-93 loss to Far Eastern University on Saturday.
Despite Hubalde starting his head coaching duties on a sour note, UE Physical Education Director Leo Robert Viajar expressed confidence in the program’s trajectory under the former Red Warriors standout.
“Our focus remains clear: to develop our student-athletes, strengthen the program, and uphold the tradition of UE basketball,” said Viajar.
Hubalde’s Red Warriors will hope to finally end their skid when they face University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday, 3 p.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
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