Altamirano quits as NU coach

MANILA, Philippines – Eric Altamirano, the soft spoken coach who brought National U out of the doghouse and steered the Bulldogs to a long-overdue UAAP championship in 2014, has quit after six years at the helm.

“Yes, coach Eric has submitted his courtesy resignation to management,” NU athletic director Chito Loyzaga told The STAR yesterday.

“Right now, management is reviewing, deliberating on it and in the next couple of days will come up with an answer,” he added.

Altamirano took over NU’s souped-up basketball program in 2011, leading a massive recruitment and rebuilding effort that bore fruit with Final Four appearances from 2012 to 2015. Under his tutelage, the Bulldogs broke a 60-year title drought in 2014 with a 2-1 series win over Far Eastern.

This season, the Bulldogs struggled with a 5-9 record – their worst in six year – and missed out on the semis picture.

“Apparently, he wants to give management a free hand in the future direction of NU basketball,” said Loyzaga.