The University of the East (UE) has signed former PBA coach Christian Gavina as the new head coach of its collegiate men’s basketball team, ushering in a new era for one of the most storied programs in the history of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
Coach Gavina, a seasoned mentor with extensive experience in both local and international basketball, brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record in player development, tactical game planning and defensive mastery. His hiring signals UE’s commitment to reclaiming its place as a dominant force in the UAAP.
“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Chris Gavina to the Red Warriors family. His leadership, passion and experience in both local and international basketball will be instrumental in molding our new breed of champions,” UE President Zosimo Battad said at the signing held in UE Manila Thursday, Feb. 13.
Present also at the signing were UE officials led by Vice Chairman David Chua and Senior Vice President Florence Siy.
Coach Gavina led the Taiwan Mustangs in The Asian Tournament and played a pivotal role in guiding the Taichung Suns to the T1 League Final Four playoffs as the first Filipino-American head coach in Taiwan T1 League history.
His experience in elite-level basketball includes head coaching stints in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) with the Rain or Shine Elastopainters and Mahindra Enforcer, where he was instrumental in developing defensive systems that ranked among the best in the league.
Additionally, Gavina was named Best Coach of the 2024 U19 NBTC National Finals Division 1 Tournament, a testament to his ability to nurture young talent.
“I am honored to coach the UE Red Warriors, a program that has produced legends of Philippine basketball. For those who cherish basketball history, I am humbled to step into the role once held by the phenomenal Coach Baby Dalupan, who led this institution to its golden era,” Gavina said.
Coach Gavina has expressed his excitement about leading the Red Warriors, emphasizing culture-building, defensive discipline and player development as key pillars of his coaching philosophy.
“The UE Red Warriors have a rich tradition, and I am eager to instill a culture of hard work, resilience and accountability. My goal is to help these young men reach their fullest potential by fostering a relentless work ethic, which, when paired with that never-say-die spirit, will make us a force to reckon with,” Gavina said.
UE has produced some of the country’s most celebrated basketball players, including the legendary Robert Jaworski, Allan Caidic, Jerry Codiñera and James Yap. The Red Warriors hold the distinction of winning seven consecutive UAAP championships, a record that still stands today.