MANILA, Philippines – Paul Lee, University of the East’s go-to-guy in the UAAP last season, has opted to sit out his remaining year of eligibility for a Red Warriors team that’s in a rebuilding process under new coach Jerry Codiñera. Lee, a member of the UAAP Season 73 Mythical 5, decided to forego his fifth playing year for the Warriors for reasons he only knows, according Codiñera, although there are reports he might play for the national team.
“I’m not privy to his (Lee’s) plans. That’s his career and so if he doesn’t want to play for UE anymore, there’s nothing I can do about it,” said Codiñera, who took over last week from coach Lawrence Chongson, during the Scoop sa Kamayan yesterday.
The departure of the spitfirish Lee, along with four other mainstays due to either graduation or injury, has left UE scrambling for new recruits. But Codiñera, a member of the last batch that won the UAAP title in 1985, is confident they can assemble a competitive team in time for Season 74 of the country’s premier collegiate league.
“It’s a tough job, if you ask me, because we have to start from scratch. But since I accepted the job, I might as well do my best to realize the reason why the school management took me as coach,” said Codiñera.
“I believe I can build a strong, competitive team. We have an open tryout now and we expect to find good prospects there,” Codiñera added, getting good vibes from UE’s recent win over La Salle in the Fr. Martin Cup.
A former coach of Teletech in the PBL and assistant of Air21 in the PBA and University of the Philippines in the UAAP, Codiñera said he intends to transform UE from a pure offensive team to a defensive, running side.
Olmin Leyba, Philippine Star
