Switching sides

It was opening day of Season 73 of the UAAP Men’s Basketball Tournament. Leo Austria and Dennis Madrid were inside the commissioner’s office at the Araneta Coliseum to draw lots for referee assignments. Usually reserved and soft-spoken, Austria excitedly told the officials: “Tiga-Adamson ‘yan (he’s from Adamson)!”

The Falcons head coach was referring to Madrid, a former Adamson player in the late 90s, who has found a new calling as an assistant coach of the National University (NU) Bulldogs. Although Madrid’s loyalty leapfrog is far from being unforgivable betrayal, it also doesn’t go unnoticed in the UAAP community, where sticking to your school is the norm.

But Madrid is not the only one who traded his alma mater’s colors for a job as a deputy tactician of a rival school. There’s also ex-Ateneo de Manila University hotshot Richie Ticzon, who joined the Far Eastern University (FEU) staff this year, and Jerry Codiñera, a former star center of the University of the East (UE), who crossed over to the University of the Philippines (UP) two seasons ago.

All about the opportunity

Shedding school colors is not new to the UAAP. Countless players from the junior division transfer to other universities when they move to the next level. Obviously, there are numerous factors why jumping ship has become common in the league like enticing scholarships, better educational programs, and winning tradition. But usually, for the players and coaches alike, it’s all about the opportunity.

“It’s nothing personal. I’m just doing my job. Yes, it would be nicer to work for your alma mater. But this is a God-given chance so I’m just making the most out of it,” Madrid said.

After all, their playing years are already behind them. Ticzon, Madrid, and Codiñera had totally different careers in the PBA, but after their retirement, they shared a similar concern: how to make a living and provide for the family. In today’s spiraling economy and dwindling employment availabilities, beggars can’t be choosers. One should just make the most out of every opportunity available.

“Your concern is still there (for your alma mater) but it’s a different story now. I’m really happy with FEU. I’m enjoying my job and it all boils down to that. In any profession, you always give your all. It doesn’t matter where you are,” Ticzon said.

“When you’re a coach, you don’t really pick what team you go to. As much as you want to work for your school, it doesn’t happen all the time. But as long as you impart and teach, that’s good enough,”

Codiñera said.

To cheer or not to cheer?

There, however, lies an inescapable irony and a cruel contradiction in serving as an assistant coach for a different school. Naturally, Ticzon, Madrid, and Codiñera want their respective alma maters to succeed, but at the same time, they also want them to struggle because they’re fighting for the same prize.

“There’s still that feeling of wanting Ateneo to win. It’s a bit awkward to root for them though since I’m now with FEU. But I still appreciate what they do because I really love the game,” Ticzon confessed.

“I still cheer for Adamson at times but my job is my priority. I still need to scout them and present my observations to the coaching staff,” Madrid said.



While Madrid, who played point guard for the Falcons, carries out a sort of sideline spying on his former school, Codiñera, undoubtedly the best big man to come out of UE, is more open about his continued devotion to the Red Warriors. He never fails to watch their games even though he’s now tied with UP.

“I talk to (UE) coach (Lawrence) Chongson and encourage him,” Codiñera said. “We’re both on the losing end right now so I know hard it is.”

Opposite poles

So far, the sweet-shooting Ticzon, who starred for Ateneo from 1989-1993, has found the most success in his school transfer. FEU sits comfortably atop the standings with a squeaky clean 7-0 record, including an impressive opening victory over the Blue Eagles.



“We’re happy with where we are right now. Hopefully, we can go all the way to win the championship,” Ticzon told uaapsports.com.

Not really jumping for joy with where they are right now are Madrid and Codiñera. The Bulldogs are still an up-and-down squad at best, sporting a 3-4 record, while the Fighting Maroons are having a horrendous season as they have lost all their games in the first round.

“I think we’re doing well. It’s just a matter of consistency. We win one game and then lose the next. We’re still (groping for form),” Madrid admitted.

“It’s going to be a tall order for us to bounce back. But it only takes one game to hopefully turn things around,” Codiñera said.

Loyalty lies in the game

“Isn’t that (insert name)? Isn’t he from (insert school)?” That’s the general reaction of avid UAAP followers when they see Ticzon, Madrid, or Codiñera on the sidelines, wearing school mandated collared shirts strewn with FEU, NU, or UP logos and colors.

“The fulfillment in accepting the job with FEU lies in giving back to the sport. I’m able to pass all the things I’ve learned to the players. My dream is for them to make it to the big leagues,” Ticzon said.

“I was hesitant to accept the job at first since I was thinking about my family’s food business. But since I really wanted to try coaching on the collegiate level, I gave it a shot. Now, I’m enjoying it a lot,” Madrid shared.

“I didn’t think twice to join UP even though it felt a little awkward at first. In the end, I thought, it’s still basketball,” Codiñera said.

But of course, with their infidelity towards their original schools, there will always be a little ribbing on the side.

“My friends tease me all the time about betraying Ateneo,” Ticzon said in jest. “I just say ‘Sorry, Tamaraw na ko ngayon’ (I’m with the Tamaraws now).”

Paolo Mariano, UAAP Sports