NCAA: Mapua Cardinals confirm hiring of Atoy Co

The Mapua Institute of Technology announced Wednesday the hiring of alumnus and PBA great Fortunato "Atoy" Co as the new head coach for their NCAA seniors division basketball team the Cardinals. Co replaces Chito Victolero, whose three-year contract expired at the end of last season. “Atoy is one of Philippines’ greatest basketball players ever and he is a former Cardinal. He will certainly bring excitement to Mapúa Cardinals as well as the entire Mapúa community, including our legion of alumni who have followed him play professionally through the years,” Dr. Reynaldo Vea, Mapua president and chief executive officer said in a press release. One of the PBA's 25 Greatest Players, Co played three seasons for Mapua and earned MVP honors in his first two years. Following a storied professional career, he coached Crispa to back-to-back PBL titles in 1990 and 1991. “Mapúa is my home. There were offers from other colleges to coach their teams before, but I turned them down. When I got a call from Mapúa, I said, ‘Why not?’ I’m a former Cardinal so it would be nice to come home,” said Co. "This year, my dream is to get into Top 4. That would be a big achievement for the team, for me and for everybody." Mapua last made the Final Four of the NCAA tourney in 2010, falling in the first rung of the stepladder postseason to the JRU Heavy Bombers, 60-54. A ceremonial contract signing for Co will be held on Friday. - AMD, GMA News