Leo Isaac, won’t be calling shots for the Mapua Cardinals in the 85th NCAA Basketball season.
Isaac, who guided Mapua to a consecutive final four finish in his two season as bench tactician will now coach Barako Bulls of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), replacing Coach Yeng Guiao.
Mapua Tech Assistant Athletic Director Carlito Geronimo is very optimistic about Isaac’s replacement, Ercito Victolero.
Ercito Victolero was a point guard for the Cardinals from 1992 to 1996. After graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering in 1996, he shot hoops for the AMA Team in the Philippine Basketball Legue (PBL) as an amateur cager. His stint latyer on flourished, playing in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBL) and PBA wherein he was also given the priviledge to be part of the Philippine National Team in 2000-2001. After his stint, he switched his gears to coaching, handling various teams including PBL’s San Mic Coffee and other collegiate and provincial squads. Victolero is also assisting Coach Koy Banal of Magnolia Pure Water in PBL.
Victolero’s plan is to balance the Cardinal’s offensive and defensive ends. Chito also wants to emphasize discipline and hard work, in and out of the court.
Coach Ercito works alongside fellow Mapuan Efren Garcia on defense, Mapua Red Robin’s head coach Randy Alcantara on offense, and Marlon Celiz in the squad’s physical conditioning.
What lies ahead for the Cardinals? With the absense of Neil Pascual, Ian Mazo and Alaska Aces’ Kelvin Dela Pen, Coach Chito Victolero is relying on the hands of fourth year veterans TG Guillermo, Mark Anthony Acosta and Paul Alexis Cinco to lead the team. Guillermon, the Cardinal’s new Team Captain, beleives in Coach Victolero’s coaching style. Vice Captain Acosta salutes their new mentor’s unique coaching techniques.
Related Websites
