INTRODUCTION

PEOPLE
Yano
Romeo Lee
Manny Villar
Nur Misuari
Benjie Paras
Dino Ignacio
Eraserheads
Jerry Barican
Obet Verzola
Jessica Zafra
Zider Lubiano
Myla Algarme
Gary Granada
Raymond Red
Mike Defensor
Jerome Bailen
Eric Altamirano
Amante Jimenez
Miriam Defensor
Malou Mangahas

ISSUES
ID
UAAP
STFAP
US Bases
Collegian
Frat Violence
SAMASA split
SR controversy
Sexual Harassment

Coach Eric Altamirano has been known as "Mr. Clean," "Mr. Integrity," and "Mr. Cool" in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) because he is always a picture of calmness on the bench even when his team is down or when the breaks do not come their way. Not unknown to many, the 32-year old Born-again Christian has a colorful basketball history behind him.

In 1986, Altamirano teamed up with backcourt partner Ronnie Magsanoc and dominating center Benjie Paras to lead UP to its first-ever UAAP basketball championship after 48 years, which until now has not yet been equaled by the Fighting Maroons. He had maintained his composure throughout the games to emerge as the Most Valuable Player.

A Philosophy major in UP, Altamirano took electives in Economics to prepare for a business career. However, he was unable to resist his craving for the sport. After playing in the amateurs for YCO, the 5'10" ex-UP point guard signed up for three years in the pro league with Shell (1990-1992), a year with Pepsi (1993), and two with Alaska (1993-1994).

Yet, the former member of the RP Youth squad was not able to unleash his full potential. In his first year with Alaska, a foot injury sidelined him that would continuously hound him in the years to come.

Still, Altamirano's basketball career did not end there. In 1995, he became an assistant to then Purefoods coach Chot Reyes. Had it not been for his injury, he should have become the first assistant playing coach in the PBA.

In 1996, UP acquired the services of their former superstar to coach the Maroons. He was able to steer the team to a third place finish in the UAAP. After his effective handling of the Maroons, the Purefoods management offered him a coaching job when Reyes resigned as head coach. He led the Purefoods Corned Beef Cowboys to the 1997 All-Filipino championship over the gritty Gordon's Gin Boars to become the youngest coach ever to win a PBA championship.

Altamirano hooked up with Mobiline Cellulars/Phonepals after Purefoods curiously replaced him with Derek Pumaren. He has since led his new team to its first-ever championship in the Centennial Cup, a special conference designed for the preparation of the Centennial Team in the Asian Games.