Meneses new JRU coach

Source: By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:52:00 11/09/2009


WHAT HE FAILED to do as a player, Vergel Meneses wants to achieve as a coach.

After days of speculation, Meneses, a former King Bomber, was officially named head coach of Jose Rizal U, which has been craving for its first NCAA men’s basketball title since 1972.

Meneses was unable to end the drought when he played for JRU from 1986 to 1989.

But the man known as the “Aerial Voyager” during his PBA playing days expressed optimism that he could pull off the feat now that he is calling the shots and not making it.

“I don’t feel any pressure,” said Meneses, a PBA MVP in 1995. He replaced Ariel Vanguardia, whose three-year pact with the Bombers ended last Oct. 31.

“Of course, I want to bring a championship, but my target is to reach the Final Four first.”

Meneses said he is tapping multititled coach Derrick Pumaren as consultant for the team that has reached the Final Four the past three seasons.

“Coaching didn’t cross my mind after my playing career,” said Meneses, whose only other coaching experience came when he served as assistant coach in Burger King in the PBL last year. “But this is my alma mater.”

JRU president Vincent Fabella said “Meneses’ strong interest in the university” was a key factor that they considered in picking the 14-year PBA veteran.

“He has the X-factor that we were looking for,” Fabella said.

Meneses will have June Tiongco, Vic Escudero, Ricky Alcantara as assistants and Dan Rose as conditioning coach.