By Joel Orellana
KENNETH DUREMDES could only chalk up one victory in 14 games during his rookie year as head coach of Adamson University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 77.
Unfortunately, Duremdes won’t have the opportunity to improve on that forgettable campaign after his alma mater decided not to bring him back for Season 78.
The 41-year-old Duremdes, undeniably one of the school’s most popular alumni, was released on Monday following a 1-13 win-loss campaign last year.
“The management of the Adamson University Soaring Falcons men’s basketball team confirms that Mr. Kenneth Duremdes will no longer serve as head coach effective June 1, 2015,” Adamson University said in a statement.
“The team management has agreed to release Mr. Duremdes from his duties as they would like someone who can dedicate his full time and attention to the development of the team. First Assistant Coach Mike Fermin will take over as head coach until a replacement can be named,” the statement added.
Adamson University officials will meet next week to discuss possible candidates for the position.
Fortunately for Adamson University, it has the luxury of time to find Duremdes’s replacement because Season 77 will kick off in September, with University of the Philippines as host.
Duremdes replaced Leo Austria, who is now a champion coach in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) with San Miguel Beer, and brought along fellow ex-PBA stars Vince Hizon and Marlou Aquino to beef up his coaching staff.
But that did not translate to victories as the Soaring Falcons struggled big time under Duremdes, mainly because of lack of manpower. Their only victory came at the expense of the UP Fighting Maroons, 67-63.
Austria brought Adamson University to the Final Four thrice—Seasons 69, 73 and 74. The school won the UAAP crown only once—in 1977—with PBA legend Hector Calma leading the charge.