By Joshua Kyle Beltran

In preparation for University Athletics Association of the Philippines Season 88, coach and former Far Eastern University (FEU) Diliman player Mike Reyes envisions a reconceptualized FEU basketball program as its new head. 

The former Southwestern University (SWU) coach recently succeeded former program head Denok Miranda, announced in a Facebook post made on the official FEU Tamaraws page yesterday, June 17. 

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, Reyes mentioned how he found his calling at FEU after concluding his coaching stint in Cebu.

“SWU closed all sports programs. Kaya wala ako ginagawa (That’s why I didn’t do anything) for almost one year. ‘Di ba lahat tayo (All of us), we go where we feel we are needed or wanted. That's how I felt nung nag-usap kami ni [FEU Athletics Director] Mark [Molina],” he shared.

The former Baby Tamaraw is keen to reform the program in order to retain FEU’s players for the long term, especially after Season 87 men’s basketball Rookie of the Year Veejay Pre’s departure. 

“Siyempre [the goal] this season [ay] makapasok sa finals (Of course, [the goal] for this season is to enter the finals). For the long term is to guide our players to become the best they can be on and off the court, and keep our players in our program,” Reyes mentioned.

Reyes, brother of former Gilas Pilipinas lead tactician and now-TNT head coach Chot Reyes, then emphasized his intent to improve the current coaching methods for the benefit of the student-athletes. 

“I am reframing our coaching methods. Para mas mabilis ang learning, para mas prepared ‘yung players that will continue to the next level,” he said.

The FEU-Diliman alum played alongside the high school team for one year in 1982.

In addition, Reyes formerly spearheaded SWU to a Cebu Schools Athletics Foundation Inc. title in 2019, while he led KCS Computer Specialist–Mandaue City to a Visayas leg championship in the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup in 2021. He also mentored the University of San Carlos in the mid 2000s.

Just recently, Reyes briefly coached the Cebu Classic basketball team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 season, but was later cut short due to financial issues. 

Set to render his knowledge on the hardwood, Reyes was also appointed as the head tactician of both the under-16 and under-19 high school boys’ team. As for Miranda, he will now serve as an assistant coach for Abra in the MPBL.

(Photo courtesy of FEU Tamaraws Facebook page)