Jamike Jarin is returning to the NCAA, this time as the new head coach of Lyceum of the Philippines University.
Jarin replaces Gilbert Malabanan, who called the shots for the Pirates from Seasons 97 to 101.
“It’s been 10 years since the last time I was in the NCAA. I’m excited to be back coaching in college and mentoring these young men again,” Jarin said.
“Coaching never stops, and learning never stops. I’ve been blessed to coach for this long. We’re coming in with a lot of new ideas and fresh approaches. In my heart of hearts, we’ll be coming in with a different mindset.”
Jarin is coming off a stint with Phoenix in the PBA where he handled the Fuel Masters from 2023 to 2025 and in the ongoing Philippine Cup as consultant.
He last handled an NCAA team in 2016 where he led San Beda to the Season 92 championship.
LPU athletics director and Management Committee representative Dr. Allan Layco, PhD said they chose Jarin because of his values and coaching resume.
“After a long deliberation, our president, Atty. Bobby Laurel, chose Coach Jamike as the Pirates' new head coach because he represents the values of the school, which are excellence, integrity, and service. Through his career in basketball, he not only won championships, he did so the right way while developing not just players who excelled on the court, but also as individuals off of it."
Jarin will inherit a squad without its usual veterans in the likes of Ato Barba and Gyle Montaño. However, Mclaude Guadaña is expected to return in Season 102, alongside former Junior Pirate Matthew Rubico.
—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News
