FOR coach
Goldwin Monteverde
, ball is, indeed, life.
Just when you thought the soft-spoken shot-caller already got his hands full, the
University of the Philippines
head coach continues to keep himself busy, this time giving back to a school he served way back.
Monteverde is once again calling the shots for St. Stephen’s High School (SSHS) Alumni Association-SCAG in the Fil-Chi Athletic Association Inc. (FCAAI) 40 Above Basketball Tournament.
It’s a homecoming of sorts for the decorated mentor, as he rekindles his bond with his former players and Stephenian alumni.
“Masaya lang yung samahan dito,” he quipped after another late night alumni game at Tanduay Gym.
PHOTO: Fil-Chi Athletic Association Inc.
Monteverde actually got his first coaching break in SSHS after his high school days in Uno High School which proved to be step one in his already-legendary coaching career.
That’s why it feels just right that he’s back on the bench for the Stephenian alumni squad.
Curiously, leading the SSHS team in the FCAAI is
Christian Luanzon
who played for Monteverde in the early 2000s and now serves as one of his assistants in the Fighting Maroons.
PHOTO: UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Unsurprisingly, he has also brought familiar faces in Bernard de Guia and Paolo Rivero to help him on the bench.
Gold. Win.
Monteverde shares that this obligations don’t really affect his hectic schedule given that alumni games are only held on evenings.
“Wala namang problema sa atin,” he said, all smiles, as he gets a chance to mingle with familiar figures in his Fil-Chi community roots, while maintaining his signature cool and calm demeanor during the games.
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Of course, UP remains Monteverde’s priority, but don’t be surprised to see him earn another crown under his belt, and another for a school he once coached.