Denok Miranda named new FEU Tamaraws head coach, Johnny Abarrientos consultant

Denok Miranda is the new FEU Tamaraws head coach. – PBA PICTURES

MANILA, Philippines – Denok Miranda was named as the new Far Eastern University men’s basketball coach ahead of this year’s UAAP Season 86.

The school announced Wednesday morning that Miranda has been promoted to head coach after serving as an assistant since 2018.

“Denok brings more than 12 years of experience playing in the PBA and is a two-time UAAP champion. He is also a head coach in the MPBL and has been an assistant coach for the Tamaraws since 2018,” the school wrote. “Known as an elite defender and leader in his day, Coach Denok is expected to instill a defensive and winning mentality with his team.”

The 40-year-old coach replaces Olsen Racela, who was in charge for the past six years, but stepped down after the Tamaraws missed the Final Four in Season 85 for the first time since 2012.

Miranda played for the Tamaraws and won two UAAP titles in 2003 and 2004 before he was drafted to the PBA in 2005 as the third overall pick by Coca-Cola.

The two-time PBA champion, who also coached Binan City in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, inherits a young FEU core led by L-Jay Gonzales as they look to bounce back from seventh place, having won just five games. 14 games last season.

In addition to Miranda, the school also announced that longtime assistant coach Johnny Abarrientos will serve as a team consultant.

The 52-year-old Abarrientos, who won two UAAP titles and MVP with FEU before emerging as one of the PBA’s greats, will continue to guide the Tamaraws in a different capacity.

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