The University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R) is set to appoint former PBA mainstay Roger Yap as the official head coach of its collegiate team for the upcoming 26th season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi). Although the appointment has not been finalized, Yap, a former Jaguar himself, has been authorized to recruit aspiring players to fill the vacancies left by student-athletes who have decided to leave the school.
A New Era for USJ-R Basketball
Yap will replace Julius Cadavis, who also handled the high school team over the past two years. During his PBA career, Yap played for Purefoods, FedEx, Shell, San Miguel, and Barako Bull. Veteran mentor Edito Salacut is also returning as head coach of the secondary squad. The school has also appointed a new sports moderator, Fr. Vicente L. Ramon Jr.
Challenges Ahead
Amid these major changes, both the college and high school teams face significant challenges. Several players have reportedly decided not to continue playing under the new leadership. When interviewed, Yap stated, "There's nothing we can do about their decision because that's their choice. Maybe they also have different goals." He acknowledged that some individuals may have influenced the players' decisions to prioritize other pursuits over education. However, Yap added that not all players are leaving, as some have chosen to stay and continue playing for their school.
The same situation is affecting Salacut's high school team. Salacut, a longtime USJ-R loyalist, previously coached the high school squad and later the elementary team after being replaced. Both Yap and Salacut are now aggressively recruiting players to rebuild their rosters.
Previous Candidates
Earlier reports indicated that coaches Norberto "Titing" Manalili and Joel Co were among the candidates considered for the college team. Social media sensation coach Chelito Caro also expressed interest in the position. Yap and Salacut have yet to name their respective deputies. Yap is likely to tap his former coach Pablo Yu as a team consultant.
