MANILA, Philippines – No one was asking but coach Lawrence Chongson of UAAP Season 72 men’s basketball losing finalist University of the East felt he had to be candid about it.

“The question is if it’s still the same coach,” Chongson retorted when asked if the Warriors will stick to its free-flowing system that fell short in the best-of-three UAAP Finals against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

Although he has a year left in his contract, the long-haired mentor said he was unsure of his future with the Warriors, despite coming within a victory of clinching UE’s first title in 24 years.

“What’s a contract if I feel that I can’t contribute anymore,” Chongson said. “I tried my best to give a championship to this team.”

Chongson said he has not even thought about how they would bounce back next season, where they would no longer have standouts Elmer Espiritu, Pari Llagas, Rudy Lingganay and Val Acuña, who have all used up their playing years.

The only player from his regular starting five who will be back next year is Paul Lee, the sweet-shooting guard who has shown the knack for taking over games in the stretch. Veteran playmaker James Martinez, who sat out the year because of an ACL injury, will also return to the lineup next year.

“I thanked them before Game 3,” said Chongson of his veterans. “Somehow they carried me as a rookie coach to the finals and gave me a shot at winning the title.”

Ateneo coach Norman Black spoke highly of Chongson and his style.

“I told Lawrence he did a good job,” said Black. “Nobody expected much from him in his first year. A lot of people had comments because his style was different. But as long as you get your players to play and play well that’s what’s important. It’s more about motivating guys. I think he has a system.”

UE has been the heartbreak kid of the UAAP since 2002. The team that beat the Warriors from the Final Four onwards has always emerged the champion.