{{short description|Filipino basketball coach (born 1972)}} {{use mdy|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox basketball biography | image = | image_size = 200px | name = Ariel Vanguardia | number = | position = Assistant coach | league = [[Pacific West Conference]] | team = Vanguard Lions | nationality = Filipino | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|9|29}} | birth_place = | height_ft = | height_in = | weight_lbs = | high_school = Letran Calamba ([[Calamba, Laguna]]) | college = [[De La Salle Green Archers|De La Salle]] – Team B | draft_year_pba = | draft_round_pba = | draft_pick_pba = | draft_team_pba = | career_start = | career_end = | cyears1 = 1998–1999 | cteam1 = [[Manila Metrostars]] (assistant) | cyears2 = 1998–1999 | cteam2 = [[Benilde Blazers basketball|Benilde]] (assistant) | cyears3 = 2000–2006 | cteam3 = [[TNT Tropang Giga|Mobiline/Talk 'N Text Phone Pals]] (assistant) | cyears4 = 2003 | cteam4 = [[TNT Tropang Giga|Talk 'N Text Phone Pals]] (interim) | cyears5 = 2006–2009 | cteam5 = [[JRU Heavy Bombers basketball|JRU]] | cyears6 = 2009–2010 | cteam6 = [[Barako Bull Energy Boosters]] (assistant) | cyears7 = 2011–2016 | cteam7 = [[Westports Malaysia Dragons]] | cyears8 = 2016 | cteam8 = Blu Star Detergent Dragons (consultant) | cyears9 = 2016–2017 | cteam9 = [[Phoenix Fuel Masters]] | cyears10 = 2021–2023 | cteam10 = [[Blackwater Bossing]] (interim) | cyears11 = 2024 | cteam11 = [[Manila Batang Sampaloc]] | cyears12 = 2025–present | cteam12 = [[Vanguard University]] (assistant) | highlights = '''As head coach''' * [[ASEAN Basketball League|ABL]] Coach of the Year ([[2014 ABL season|2014]]) * [[ASEAN Basketball League|ABL]] champion ([[2015 ABL season|2015]]) '''As assistant coach''' * [[List of Philippine Basketball Association champions|PBA champion]] ([[2003 PBA All-Filipino Cup finals|2003 All-Filipino]]) }}
'''Ariel Vanguardia''' (born September 29, 1972) is a Filipino professional [[basketball]] coach who currently serves as the assistant coach for the [[Vanguard Lions]] of the [[Pacific West Conference]].
==Early life and education== Hailing from [[Calamba, Laguna]]<ref name=resto>{{cite news |last1=Bacnis |first1=Justine |title=Aside from coaching, Ariel Vanguardia finds fulfillment in restaurant business |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/aside-coaching-ariel-vanguardia-finds-fulfillment-restaurant-business/130419 |access-date=12 April 2026 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=11 October 2018}}</ref>, Ariel Vanguardia was born on September 29, 1972.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ariel VANGUARDIA - FIBA coach profile|url=http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/cl/FIBACoaches/p/fed//iocc/PHI/peid/504057/q//z//coach_search.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807015326/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/cl/FIBACoaches/p/fed//iocc/PHI/peid/504057/q//z//coach_search.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2016|website=FIBA|accessdate=3 June 2016}}</ref> Vanguardia attended the [[De La Salle University]] where he obtained a degree in business management.<ref name=resto/> He played for the team B of the [[De La Salle Green Archers basketball|De La Salle Green Archers]] and was a contributor for the school paper, ''[[The LaSallian]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Asis |first1=Miguel |title=Why Ariel Vanguardia, who has coached at every level, still feels he has a lot to prove |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/02/21/why-ariel-vanguardia-who-has-coached-at-every-level-still-feels-he-has-a-lot-to-prove |access-date=12 April 2026 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=2 August 2021}}</ref>
He briefly managed a printing press shop and a video rental store in 1996 until he began focusing on coaching.<ref name=resto/>
==Coaching career==
=== Assistant === Vanguardia formerly served as an assistant coach for [[Benilde Blazers basketball|Benilde Blazers]] under [[Adriano Go]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Veteran basketball coach Adriano 'Bong' Go passes away at 66 |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/adriano-bong-go-passes-away-basketball-coach-tribute |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref>
He served as an assistant coach for [[TNT Tropang Giga|Talk 'N Text Phone Pals]], and served as an interim when [[Joel Banal]] was coaching [[Ateneo Blue Eagles men's basketball|Ateneo]]. Vanguardia's tenure as interim marred of playing controversy, including players of the Phone Pals who intentionally playing or not scoring points.<ref>{{Cite web |last=So |first=Jannelle |author-link=Jannelle So |date=2003-08-18 |title=From courtside |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2003/08/18/217634/courtside |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref>
=== JRU Heavy Bombers === He served as head coach of [[JRU Heavy Bombers basketball|JRU Heavy Bombers]], and led them into a finals appearance in [[NCAA Season 84 basketball tournaments|2008]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-07-15 |title=Solo liderato asinta ng Bombers |url=https://www.philstar.com/palaro/2009/07/15/486487/solo-liderato-asinta-ng-bombers |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref> But due to a final four fail in [[NCAA Season 85 basketball tournaments|2009]], he was replaced by [[Vergel Meneses]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Villar |first=Joey |date=2009-11-05 |title=Vergel being eyed for JRU coaching post |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2009/11/05/520221/vergel-being-eyed-jru-coaching-post |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref>
After coaching Bombers, he served as an assistant for [[Barako Bull Energy Boosters|Barako Bull]] from 2009 to 2010.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Villanueva |first=Eros |date=2021-09-19 |title=Vanguardia named Blackwater interim head coach |url=https://www.espn.ph/basketball/pba/story/_/id/32234833/vanguardia-named-interim-head-coach-blackwater |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
===Westports Malaysia Dragons=== He previously coached the [[Westports Malaysia Dragons]] in the [[Asean Basketball League]], where he won the team's first championship in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://aseanbasketballleague.com/news/westports-malaysia-dragons-part-ways-coach-ariel-vanguardia/|title=Westports Malaysia Dragons part ways with coach Ariel Vanguardia|publisher=ASEAN Basketball League|date=June 7, 2016|accessdate=June 7, 2016}}</ref> On May 31, 2016, it was announced that he was appointed to his first PBA head coaching job as coach of the PBA team [[Phoenix Fuel Masters]], replacing [[Koy Banal]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Terrado|first1=Reuben|title=Ariel Vanguardia replaces Koy Banal as Phoenix coach to kick off PBA team's facelift |url=http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/ariel-vanguardia-replaces-koy-banal-as-phoenix-coach-to-kick-off-pba-teams-facelift|website=Sports Interactive Network Philippines|accessdate=1 June 2016|date=31 May 2016}}</ref> ===Blu Detergent Dragons=== He also took over as team consultant of Blu Star Detergent Dragons, a team composed of the players of the Dragons in the [[2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Leongson|first1=Randolph B.|title=Wright, Brickman set for PBA D-League debut with Blustar Detergent|url=http://sports.inquirer.net/211563/wright-brickman-set-for-d-league-debut-with-blustar-detergent|newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]]|accessdate=2 June 2016|date=25 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://sports.inquirer.net/213985/pba-d-league-blustar-names-goh-as-coach|title=PBA D-League: Blustar names Goh as coach|publisher=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]]|last=Leongson|first=Randolph B.|date=June 8, 2016|accessdate=June 10, 2016}}</ref>
===Blackwater Bossing=== In 2021, he was hired by [[Blackwater Bossing]] as their head coach, replacing [[Nash Racela]] but for interim basis.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dioquino |first=Delfin |title=Ariel Vanguardia in, Nash Racela out as Blackwater coach |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/pba/ariel-vanguardia-replaces-nash-racela-blackwater-bossing-head-coach/ |work=Rappler}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> He was replaced by [[Jeffrey Cariaso|Jefferey Cariaso]] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Gerry |title=Cariaso brings in two personnel as he officially assumes Blackwater job |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/two-personnel-to-join-jeff-cariaso-s-coaching-staff-at-blackwater-a793-20230404 |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref>
===Assistant for Atlanta Hawks=== For the [[2024 NBA Summer League]], Vanguardia became part of the [[Atlanta Hawks]] as an assistant coach and scout.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Manicad |first1=Julius |title=Vanguardia thrilled to fly with Hawks |url=https://tribune.net.ph/2024/07/12/vanguardia-thrilled-to-fly-with-hawks |access-date=12 April 2026 |work=Daily Tribune |date=13 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Suing |first1=Ivan |title=Vanguardia eyes Momowei for NBA Summer League |url=https://tribune.net.ph/2025/01/31/vanguardia-eyes-momowei-for-nba-summer-league |access-date=12 April 2026 |work=Daily Tribune |date=1 February 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
===Vanguard Lions=== Vanguardia was named part of the staff of the [[Vanguard Lions]] for the 2025–26 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=2025-26 Men's Basketball Coaching Staff |url=https://vanguardlions.com/sports/mens-basketball/coaches |website=Vanguard University |access-date=12 April 2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2025-26 Vanguard Men's Basketball Season Preview |url=https://vanguardlions.com/news/2025/11/10/2025-26-vanguard-mens-basketball-season-preview.aspx |website=Vanguard University |access-date=12 April 2026 |language=en |date=10 November 2025}}</ref>
==Coaching record== ===Collegiate record=== {|class=wikitable style="text-align:center" |- !rowspan=2|Season ! rowspan="2" |Team ! colspan="5" |Elimination round!! colspan="5" | Playoffs |- !Finish !GP !W!!L!!PCT!!PG!!W!!L!!PCT!!Results |- |[[NCAA Season 82|2006]] | rowspan="4" |[[JRU Heavy Bombers basketball|JRU]]|| 7th |14|| 4 || 10 || .286 ||—||—||—||—||Eliminated |- |[[NCAA Season 83|2007]]|| 3rd |14|| 7 || 5 || .583 || 1 || 0 || 1 || .000 || Semifinals |- |[[NCAA Season 84|2008]]|| 2nd |14|| 9 || 5 || .643 || 6 || 4 || 2 || .667 || Finals |- |[[NCAA Season 85|2009]]|| 3rd |18|| 15 || 3 || .833 || 2 || 1 || 1 || .500 || Semifinals |- ! colspan="3" |Totals !58!! 35 !! 23 !! .603 !! 9 !! 5 !! 4 !! .555 !! 0 championships |}
===Professional=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" |- !Season !Conference !Team !GP !W !L !PCT !Finish !PG !W !L !PCT !Results |- | rowspan="2" |[[2003 PBA season|2003]] |[[2003 PBA Invitational Championship|Invitational]] | rowspan="2" |[[2003 Talk 'N Text Phone Pals season|Talk 'N Text]] |4 |3 |1 |.750 |3rd | — |— |— |— |Eliminated |- |[[2003 PBA Reinforced Conference|Reinforced]] |13 |7 |6 |.538 |4th (Group B) |7 |3 |4 |.429 |Third place |- | colspan="2" |[[2012 ABL season|2012]] | rowspan="4" |[[Westports Malaysia Dragons]] |21 |11 |10 |.524 |4th |3 |1 |2 |.333 |Semifinals |- | colspan="2" |[[2013 ABL season|2013]] |22 |12 |10 |.545 |3rd |3 |0 |3 |.000 |Semifinals |- | colspan="2" |[[2014 ABL season|2014]] |20 |15 |5 |.750 |1st |4 |2 |2 |.500 |Finals |- | colspan="2" |[[2015–16 ABL season|2015–16]] |20 |16 |4 |.800 |1st |7 |5 |2 |.714 |'''Champions''' |- |[[2015–16 PBA season|2015–16]] |[[2016 PBA Governors' Cup|Governors']] |[[2015–16 Phoenix Fuel Masters season|Phoenix]] |11 |5 |6 |.455 |8th |1 |0 |1 |.000 |Quarterfinals |- | rowspan="3" |[[2016–17 PBA season|2016–17]] |[[2016–17 PBA Philippine Cup|Philippine]] | rowspan="3" |[[2016–17 Phoenix Fuel Masters season|Phoenix]] |11 |6 |5 |.545 |6th |2 |0 |2 |.000 |Quarterfinals |- |[[2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup|Commissioner's Cup]] |11 |4 |7 |.364 |7th |1 |0 |1 |.000 |Quarterfinals |- |[[2017 PBA Governors' Cup|Governors']] |11 |2 |9 |.182 |9th | — |— |— |— |Eliminated |- | rowspan="2" |[[2021 PBA season|2021]] |[[2021 PBA Philippine Cup|Philippine]] | rowspan="2" |[[2021 Blackwater Bossing season|Blackwater]] |11 |0 |11 |.000 |12th | — |— |— |— |Eliminated |- |[[2021 PBA Governors' Cup|Governors']] |11 |1 |10 |.538 |12th | — |— |— |— |Eliminated |- | rowspan="3" |[[2022–23 PBA season|2022–23]] |[[2022 PBA Philippine Cup|Philippine]] | rowspan="3" |[[2022–23 Blackwater Bossing season|Blackwater]] |11 |5 |6 |.455 |8th |1 |0 |1 |.000 |Quarterfinals |- |[[2022–23 PBA Commissioner's Cup|Commissioner's]] |12 |3 |9 |.250 |12th | — |— |— |— |Eliminated |- |[[2023 PBA Governors' Cup|Governors']] |11 |1 |10 |.091 |12th | — |— |— |— |Eliminated |- ! colspan="3" |[[Philippine Basketball Association|PBA]] total !117 !37 !80 !.316 ! rowspan="3" |Playoff Total !12 !3 !9 !.250 !1 ABL championship |- ! colspan="3" |[[ASEAN Basketball League|ABL]] total !83 !54 !29 !.651 !17 !8 !9 !.471 !0 PBA championships |- ! colspan="3" |'''Career total''' !200 !91 !109 !.455 !29 !11 !18 !.379 !1 championship |}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Phoenix Fuel Masters}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vanguardia, Ariel}} [[Category:1972 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:ASEAN Basketball League coaches]] [[Category:Filipino men's basketball coaches]] [[Category:TNT Tropang 5G coaches]] [[Category:Filipino expatriate basketball people in Malaysia]] [[Category:Filipino men's basketball players]] [[Category:Benilde Blazers basketball coaches]] [[Category:JRU Heavy Bombers basketball coaches]] [[Category:Barako Bull Energy Boosters coaches]] [[Category:Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters coaches]] [[Category:Blackwater Bossing coaches]] [[Category:MPBL coaches]] [[Category:20th-century Filipino sportsmen]] [[Category:De La Salle Green Archers basketball players]] [[Category:People from Calamba, Laguna]] [[Category:Atlanta Hawks scouts]] [[Category:Atlanta Hawks assistant coaches]] [[Category:Filipino emigrants to the United States]]