JUNEL BACULI has officially stepped down as athletic director of National University (NU) to return to what he loves most—coaching a basketball team.
“Yes its true [resignation]. I want to go back to my first love and that’s the main reason. Boss Hans [Sy] and Sir Nilo [Ocampo] understood my decision,” Baculi said.
“I felt I helped NU to where it is right now with regards to the school’s sports program,” he added. “I felt I’ve done my share to help the school to be successful.”
Baculi was hired in July 2008 and during his stint as athletic director of the school, NU has won nine University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) titles, including the high-school basketball crown.
The Bulldogs finally ended six decades of drought by hoisting the UAAP men’s basketball crown again after beating Far Eastern University in the finals in Season 77.
Baculi admitted it was a hard decision that he made, especially with what happened two weeks ago where their home in Project 8 Quezon City was engulfed by fire.
Baculi also had a short stint with GlobalPort as head coach in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), coaching the Batang Pier for two conferences in the 2012-2013 season.
Former PBA forward Chito Loyzaga, also a one-time commissioner in the Philippine Sports Commission and tournament commissioner of the UAAP in Season 76, is reportedly replacing Baculi.
Joel Orellana