MANILA — Far Eastern University (FEU) just added a former men’s basketball star to its coaching staff.
No less than Denok Miranda confirmed on Sunday night that he just joined the Tamaraws to assist head coach, Olsen Racela, ahead of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82.
“Last week lang ako ng December nag-start (I started last week of December),” Miranda said at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City during the Return of the Rivals event.
He added that his fellow former San Miguel Beerman already contacted him for the job.
“Dati niya pa ako tinext (He texted me a long time ago),” said Miranda, who played with the franchise for four seasons.
In fact, he said that he will be showing up when FEU, representing Chadao, makes its PBA D-League debut on Monday night.
The Tams will battle UAAP rival NU, bannering SM Development Corp., at the Paco Arena here.
This is not Miranda’s first coaching job with his alma mater.
“Part na rin ako ng developmental (team) sa juniors (I was part of the developmental team in the juniors,” the former assistant coach for Marinerong Pilipino in the D-League bared. “Ang hawak ko ay juniors and seniors (I'm handling juniors and seniors).”
Miranda helped the Tamaraws take home two consecutive UAAP titles in 2003 and 2004 before declaring for the 2005 PBA Draft.
They initially beat the Ateneo Blue Eagles before receiving the De La Salle Green Archers’ championship after the latter’s finals win was forfeited due to eligibility issues.
He was drafted third overall by the former Coca-Cola franchise, which was eventually handed to NorthPort.
Miranda played for 12 seasons in the PBA, most recently with Blackwater in 2017.
He is still active in club basketball, playing for Biñan in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. (PNA)
