By JONAS TERRADO
Ricky Dandan stepped down as coach of the Columbian Dyip late Monday after only two conferences at the helm to focus on his role as an assistant of the University of the Philippines in the collegiate ranks.
Dandan’s resignation came days after the Dyip ended their PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign with a 4-7 record, expressing his desire to help the Maroons’ preparation for the UAAP season which starts in September. Dandan is part of coach Bo Perasol’s staff.
“Since January, I have focused all of my efforts full time as head coach of Columbian and, when time permitted, I attended the practices of the UP men’s basketball team,” Dandan said in a statement first released by ESPN5.
“My personal decision now is to concentrate all of my attention, effort and energy full time on helping coach Bo Perasol and the UP Fighting Maroons in our quest for the Final Four this forthcoming UAAP Season,” added Dandan.
Dandan compiled a 5-15 record after Chris Gavina resigned two games into the Philippine Cup last December.
His knack for preaching defense has helped Columbian stare at a possible quarterfinals berth in the Commissioner’s Cup after a 3-2 start led by import John Fields, Rashawn McCarthy, Jerramy King, Eric Camson and Glenn Khobuntin.
But the Dyip’s defense faltered in the late stretch and lost five of their final six games. Columbian also lost by an average margin of 26 points.
