MANILA, Philippines – Former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player Jerry Codiñera will be coaching the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors in the next University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball season.

Codiñera, a member of the UE squad that won back-to-back UAAP titles in 1984 and 1985, will be taking the place of coach Lawrence Chongson.

Codiñera, nicknamed “Defense Minister” during his heydays in the PBA, was touted by the league as one of their “25 Best Players of All Time”.

The UE management hopes the retired PBA player can improve the Red Warriors’ standing in the next UAAP season.

UE plummeted to 6th place in the 73rd UAAP basketball season from their 2nd-place finish last year.