WINTER OF 'TRIANGLE' FAME DUE:

Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach and basketball guru Fred (Tex) Winter is coming to Manila this summer to conduct clinics for the Asian Basketball Academy-Philippines (ABA-Phils).

And Lakers coach Phil Jackson might plane in, too, before the next National Basketball Association (NBA) season opens in November.

ABA-Phils Chairman Ernest Escaler told The STAR yesterday he conferred with Winter and Jackson during a trip to Los Angeles as the Lakers' guest last week.

Escaler said Winter confirmed the visit and agreed to join the ABA-Phils Coaches' Advisory Board whose other members are Hall of Famer Pete Newell, United States Basketball Academy Director for Basketball Certifications Tom Newell, Toronto Raptors head scout Jim Kelly, Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines President Chito Narvasa and Philippine Basketball Association coaches Chot Reyes, Tim Cone, and Perry Ronquillo.

Winter, 77, is known as the father of the triangle offense. He's in his 53rd year as a coach at the NCAA Division I or pro level -- the longest tenure of any active coach. Winter and Jackson worked together to lead the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998.

Escaler said both Winter and Jackson are excited to visit Manila because they know how popular basketball is here. The plan is for Winter to come in August and Jackson in September.

"I consider Phil to be the greatest basketball coach today," said Escaler whose Lakers visit was arranged by Director of Public Relations John Black and assistant coach Frank Hamblen through Tom Newell. "Phil remembers Manila well -- he was here in the early 1980s to play goodwill games with Pete Maravich and Rick Barry. He's a thinking coach who uses Zen meditation and professes self-discipline to get the most from his players. As for Tex, he told me He's a purely Xs and Os guy who just loves the game. He doesn't mind being Phil's assistant because he'd rather not be bothered by the politics and the media obligations of a head coach. Phil has obviously learned from Tex' experience and respects him a lot."

Escaler met Lakers players Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Travis Knight, and Ron Harper, Lakers show business fans Dyan Cannon and Matthew McConnaughey, and Lakers legend Magic Johnson during his visit. He was given VIP treatment when he watched the Lakers play Boston, Houston and Vancouver at the Staples Center.

Escaler also toured the Lakers' new facility, the $24 Million Healthsouth Training Center, on Nash Street in El Segundo. He was in Jackson's office when the coach unpacked his things the day the facility opened last week.

ABA-Phils was launched here last year with Tom Newell conducting a series of clinics for coaches and players. Newell will be back for two weeks in April for more clinics. ABA-Phils has a full schedule this year with camps for 6-10 year olds, 7-17 year olds, referees, coaches, girls, 18 to 22 year olds, athletic trainers and sportscasters. There's even a "fantasy" camp, called Play Forever, for hoopsters 40 years and above.