Caidic, Altamirano join coaching staff

Allan Caidic, a four-time member of the Philippine team to the Asian Games, will take another tour of duty in the quadrennial games this year in Busan, South Korea as he, together with Eric Altamirano and Boyzie Zamar, was tapped to assist national coach Jong Uichico.

Meanwhile, American coach Paul Howard, a good friend of coach Ron Jacobs, has made a commitment to Uichico to help in scouting, particularly the Chinese and the Lebanese in their stints in the world championships in Indianapolis a few months before the Asian Games.

Binky Favis was also tapped as scout.

Caidic will bring with him the experience he gained while donning the national jersey in Seoul in 1986, Beijing in 1990, Hiroshima in 1994 and Bangkok in 1998 as he sits beside Uichico on the bench.

Altamirano, incidentally, had his own Asian Games experience, being a member of the RP team, under coach Joe Lipa, that copped the bronze medal in the Seoul Games.

Caidic and Alvin Patrimonio own the distinction of the only Filipino cagers with four stints in the Asian Games. Patrimonio also played in the Seoul, Beijing, Hiroshima and Bangkok jousts. — Nelson Beltran

In his absence at Ginebra, veteran coach Cris Calilan is to call the shots for the Kings. Ryan Gregorio, meanwhile, will take over Altamirano at Purefoods.

Earlier, Uichico left the rein at San Miguel Beer to assistants Art dela Cruz and Siot Tanquingcen.

Uichico will name the members of the two candidates teams seeing action in the 2002 PBA season opening conference tomorrow.

He has already seeded to the pool the 17 players named by coach Ron Jacobs. These are Danny Seigle, Danny Ildefonso, Andy Seigle, Noy Castillo, Rudy Hatfield, Poch Juinio, Davonn Harp, Mick Pennisi, Chris Jackson, Jeffrey Cariaso, Dennis Espino, Marlou Aquino, Ali Peek, Kenneth Duremdes, Eric Menk, Asi Taulava and Don Camaso.