UE Promotes Paolo Hubalde to Head Coach Amid 22‑Game Losing Streak

In a bid to halt a 22‑game losing streak that began in Season 87, the University of the East (UE) has promoted former PBA star Paolo Hubalde to interim head coach, replacing Chris Gavina. Hubalde, who returned to the Red Warriors as an assistant in Season 89, will take the helm during the team’s Saturday match against the FEU Tamaraws and is expected to lead the squad for the remainder of the season. The change comes after Gavina’s 16‑game winless run, following Jack Santiago’s brief tenure that yielded six victories before a playoff loss. Hubalde inherits a young roster featuring Nur Datumalim, Cole Cruz‑Dumont, Tope Lagat, and foreign imports JM Edoukou and Ola Ajani, and will balance coaching duties with his role as UE’s junior high school coach. Assistant coach RJ Argamino and consultant Allan Caidic will support the new regime as the program seeks stability and its first win of the season.