VETERAN strategist Aric del Rosario will step down as head coach of the University of Perpetual Help Altas.
Lester Del Rosario, son of coach Del Rosario and who also serves as one of his assistant coaches, broke the news which was confirmed by Jeff Tamayo, who is the school’s representative to the board of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Tamayo said Del Rosario, who has handled the Altas for the last four years, deserves a break and will instead take on the job of consultant of the team.
School officials decided to replace Del Rosario after the Altas failed to advance to the Final Four of the 91st NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
The Altas had a good chance of making it to the Final Four. But three straight losses at the end of elimination round knocked them out of contention. They finished at sixth place with an 11-7 record including a crucial, 64-93, loss to the Letran Knights last Oct. 9.
Assistant coach Jonas Kintanar and former cager Nosa Omorogbe have been tapped to handle the team in the off-season.
Their campaign the past season was spearheaded by Nigerians Bright Akhuetie and Prince Eze, along with veterans Earl Thompson and Ardy Dizon.