Bachmann named as UAAP Season 85 and 86 Commissioner for basketball

Richard Bachmann

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines has named Richard Bachmann as its commissioner for basketball for the next two seasons.

Bachmann, a former student-athlete with De La Salle University, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce, majoring in Business Management in 1991.

He says, "It's like going full circle, starting out as a player to an assistant coach then, later on, team manager and team governor and now to a commissioner, I'm really blessed and grateful for this opportunity. And the UAAP was the place it all started for me, that's what excites me the most."

In a move to break from tradition, season 85 hosts Adamson opted to involve the entire Board of Managing Directors in the selection process.

According to Season 85 president Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM, "As hosts for UAAP Season 85, we at Adamson University decided to break tradition of endorsing one and make everyone part of the selection process in choosing the commissioner for both the basketball and volleyball tournaments."

He continues, "Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag formed a search committee that screened applicants and nominees and came up with a shortlist which was presented to the BMD. After painstaking deliberation by the BMD, it was Mr. Richard Bachmann who stood out."

The Adamson representative to the BMD concludes, "We are excited to have him and see him execute his expertise and vision for our basketball tournaments, not just this season but also for UAAP Season 86."

The move to have Bachmann serve as commissioner for two seasons is geared towards the continued improvement of the league's officiating.

According to him, "My main task is improving the officiating of the league, a one-year term on any commissioner is not enough. There should be continuity through training and they also need to call some games outside of the UAAP which will be also supervised by us."

Executive Director Atty. Rene Saguisag echoes Bachmann's sentiments. "The UAAP is aligned with Commissioner Bachmann's vision of referee development. With his recommendation, we will have him on board for the next two UAAP seasons. This is not just for the UAAP but for the entire collegiate basketball landscape, and perhaps the nation's as well. The UAAP is very excited to have continuity and, hopefully, synergy with the other leagues in creating a harmonious environment for our student-hoopers, coaches, officials, and our staff."

The new commissioner is currently in the process of selecting the pool of referees tasked to call the league's matches in all divisions: collegiate (men and women), high school (boys and girls), and 3x3.

He notes, "Basically, they asked me my plans for the referees. I said that I'd rather have a pool that I can control, a collection of referees from various leagues and groups."

Also in Bachmann's plans is to talk to the head coaches of all eight member-institutions. He says, "I'm going to meet each team. I would rather go to each school and meet each head coach to know their experiences from past seasons. I'm going to listen to them and see the positives and negatives of past seasons so we can improve on those."