Chito Victolero, Jamike Jarin mark coaching comeback at Filoil preseason tilt

Veteran tacticians Chito Victolero and Jamike Jarin are set for a return to coaching, taking charge once again in the collegiate ranks starting with the 2026 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.

Chito Victolero now calls the shots once more for Mapua University, taking over from one-time champion coach Randy Alcantara, while Jamike Jarin has assumed the reins at Lyceum of the Philippines University, replacing Gilbert Malabanan.

Before Victolero and Jarin make their official homecoming in the NCAA, they will first test their mettle against fellow NCAA squads and UAAP powerhouse teams in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.

Victolero, whose last coaching stint was with the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA, will guide the Cardinals again 14 years after he last led his alma mater from 2009 to 2012. He will inherit a Clint Escamis-less squad that still features several key stars like Cyrus Cuenco, Cyrus Nitura, Ivan Lazarte, and Yam Concepcion as they look to repeat their title feat in NCAA Season 100.

Jamike Jarin, who previously served as both coach and consultant for the Phoenix Fuel Masters, has found his way back to the NCAA nearly a decade after last steering the San Beda Red Lions in 2017.

This time, though, he will serve as the guiding force for the Lyceum Pirates as the school seeks to finally capture its breakthrough basketball title after years of heartbreak and near misses.

San Sebastian College-Recoletos will also parade a new coach, Tony Tan, as the Stags deploy their fourth coach in as many seasons. Tan replaced Rob Labagala at the helm following the departures of Arvin Bonleon (Season 100) and John Kallos (Season 99).

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA News