UE head coach Chris Gavina sets a new tone for the Red Warriors, calling for accountability and high standards as they aim for a long-awaited UAAP Final Four return.
Newly appointed UE head coach Chris Gavina isn’t shying away from the pressure. In fact, he welcomes it.
As the UE Red Warriors seek to end a 16-year Final Four drought, Gavina, who took over the program in February following the departure of Jack Santiago, understands the weight of expectations surrounding the Red Warriors.
“Obviously, making the Final Four is the high expectation of everybody,” Gavina told reporters after their first game in the 18th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup. “It’s been, I believe, 16 going on 17 years for UE, and I know that. That’s a challenge that was presented to me—and I like it.”
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Gavina is no stranger to uphill battles. He made history as the first Filipino head coach in Taiwan, and now brings that same mindset to a UE squad trying to break through.
“You know, setting standards is never easy,” he said. “A lot of these guys are kind of set in their ways of not accepting high expectations and high standards like I place on it.”
“I’ve been in teams where mediocrity was the norm—and I’ve also worked with high-level talent. I know what it takes to win at a championship level—whether I have that talent or not,” he added.
With UAAP Season 88 still months away, Gavina has used the offseason as a proving ground, giving unheralded players their chance to shine.
He cited that eight players currently in the lineup combined for just 20 total field goal attempts last year, barely playing over three minutes each per game.
“I want to give guys an opportunity to grow early in the season. I was honest with them—this is the time for them to show me I can trust them when the real lights are on,” said Gavina.
“These eight guys are the next in line. They’re going to have to accept the expectations and the pressure that comes with it. That’s part of our growth. Nothing is going to happen overnight,” he added.
Gavina fielded 14 different players during UE’s 57-74 defeat to the FEU Tamaraws, continuing his rotation experiment as he searches for reliable pieces.
Among the standouts was John Abate, who dropped 22 points along with three steals, two assists, and two rebounds.
Nico Mulingtapang added 12 points, while star forward Precious Momowei, coming off the bench, still posted a solid line of 8 points and 12 rebounds in 26 minutes.
The Red Warriors had shown promise in UAAP Season 87, finishing the first round at 5-2, their best start in years. But a collapse in the second round, winning just once and ultimately falling short in a playoff for the fourth seed against Adamson, derailed what could have been a historic return to the Final Four.
Now, under Gavina’s leadership, the focus is on resetting the culture, building trust, and embracing a standard that demands more.
“I’m still getting used to the whole UAAP dynamic,” Gavina admitted. “But I know what needs to be done. And I believe this team can get there.”