Aric del Rosario

Januario "Aric" del Rosario is a former head coach of the UST Growling Tigers in the UAAP, Pampanga Dragons in the Metropolitan Basketball Association ,the 2003 RP Men's Team in the Southeast Asian Games, and of the UPHSD Altas from 2012-2015; until he retired and was made a consultant of the team. in the NCAA He is also formerly a consultant and assistant Coach of Toyota-Balintawak Road Kings in the Philippine Basketball League. He is the former commissioner of the NCAA (Philippines) from 2009-2011, ^[1]

As a UST player, del Rosario was part of the 1964 Glowing goldies Team that won the UAAP Basketball Championship that Year together with Hector Hipolito, the coach of the Adamson Team that battled UST in its last game of the eliminations of the 1993 season en route to the rare sweep, 14-0, that made UST the automatic champions that Year.

Coaching career

University of Santo Tomas

Under his tutelage, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers won 4 straight championships in the 90's starting in 1993 up to 1996 and during that time they earned the reputation of being the best college team of the 90's playing excellent brand of basketball and produced players who became successful in their basketball careers. the first championship was won via a 14–0 sweep the year before the Final Four format was introduced in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). in the next three championships, they will beat the De La Salle Green Archers to make a dynasty in the UAAP. in 1997, their dreams of a 5-peat was spoiled as they lose to the De La Salle Green Archers(Their Finals opponent from 1994-1996) in the Final 4 despite UST holding the twice to beat advantage against La Salle. it also signaled the end of the 4 year dominance of UST. in 1999, UST made it again to the finals with a 12–2 win-loss card only to lose again this time to a familiar foe, the De La Salle Green Archers courtesy of the game-tying three point shot by Dino Aldeguer to send the game into overtime. In 2001, UST wasn't able to play in the Final 4 for the first time in school's history (the format was implemented in 1994) but came back in 2002 together with Cyrus Baguio The following year, UST didn't reach the final 4 for the second time and it signaled the end of his long coaching reign and later he was replaced by his assistant coach Nel Parado.

Philippine Basketball Association

He served as an assistant coach to teams like the Alaska Aces and Talk 'N Text Phone Pals.

MBA

Del Rosario was tasked to coach the Pampanga Dragons in 1998, the inaugural year of the MBA. He gave Pamapanga its first championship by beating the Negros Slashers in 5 games of their Best of 7 National Championship. it is also the last championship for Pampanga as the league disbanded in 2002.

Philippine national team

He successfully defended the throne for the Philippines as they beat Indonesia for the Gold Medal in the 2003 Southeast Asian Games despite having injured key players in his lineup.

NCAA record

Personal life

The Del Rosario family is a basketball inclined family. Coach Aric's sons are involved in basketball. Edsel is his former player at UST while Lester is also a former player and former assistant coach to the JRU Heavy Bombers. His grandson,Zach (Lester's son) goes with him and his dad in UPHSD basketball practices and the young Del Rosario is showing a passion for basketball.

References