Silva appointed UE head coach

MANILA, Philippines – Joe Silva, who steered the Ateneo Blue Eaglets to two UAAP Juniors championships, is now at the coaching helm of the University of the East Red  Warriors.

Silva sat behind UE’s bench in the first half during their match against the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals. The Red Warriors won, 73-59, behind Alvin Pasaol’s 31 points and 13 rebounds. In the second half of play, Silva now sat on the UE bench, albeit at the far end as interim coach Melvin Reyes handled the squad.

According to UE sources, Reyes will handle the Red Warriors for the duration of the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, but Silva will start taking care of practices beginning Thursday, May 3.

“My first day (Tuesday), was like the first day of school,” admitted Silva, who wore red for the match but not with any UE markings. “This was my only red shirt but next game (against Ateneo, ironically, this Friday), I will wear a shirt with ‘UE’ on it.”

“It wasn’t an easy decision,” added Silva. “After I resigned from the Blue Eaglets, I was leaning towards putting up my own business then this offer came. It wasn’t easy because I have been in Ateneo all my life. This means adjusting to a different culture, a different atmosphere. But it is a challenge. And UE has a good team. They areone import away from making the Final Four. That is how I see this team.”

Paul Artadi, who sat on the Red Warriors’ bench, will be joining Silva on the coaching staff.

“We have yet to fill out the rest of the staff,” said Silva. “I will have to sit down with management to discuss that and our next moves.”

“This is a terrific opportunity and I am happy to have accepted it,” concluded Silva.

Of the UE Red Warriors team, the newcomers are Ric Gallardo, who transferred from the Perpetual Help Altas giving the team another front court player, and rookie point guard Paul Manalang from the National University Bullpups where he joins older brother Philip, who is now a senior on the team.