Perry, Shell end 9-year partnership

Perry Ronquillo, citing the need for new direction and leadership for the team, resigned as head coach of the Shell Turbochargers yesterday, ending a nine-year-long relationship that had its ups and down in the Philippine Basketball Association.

"I have reached the crossroads and decided this is time to quit," said Ronquillo after stepping down as chief tactician of the team, which he led to championships in the 1998 Governors Cup and the 1999 All-Filipino.

"There are some things I have to do and I think this is a good time for everybody concerned to give somebody else the chance to turn the team around," added Ronquillo, two-time Coach of the Year awardee, who ironically left the team on a downhill run.

The Turbochargers have never broken the .500 marks since a 32-24 win-loss showing in 1999. Their highest finish in a conference the last two years was seventh in the 2002 All-Filipino Conference.

"After thorough discussions with coach Ronquillo about the performance of the team, we mutually recognized and agreed that Shell needs a new direction and fresh leadership. Consequently, we accepted his resignation," said Pilipinas Shell chairman Ed Chua.

"We thank coach Ronquillo for his unswerving and selfless contribution to the team and the PBA and we wish him well in his future undertaking. We will now commence our search for a coach, who could hopefully bring about a brand new dimension to the Shell Turbochargers," Chua added.

Shell board representative Bobby Kanapi said their target date to name their new coach is before Christmas so they can have enough time to prepare for the coming rookie draft.

Coaches likely to be considered to replace Ronquillo are former Shell players Leo Austria, Leo Isaac, Bay Cristobal and veteran PBA coaches Derrick Pumaren, Norman Black and Eric Altamirano.

Shell’s poor performances in the 2000-2002 seasons prompted Ronquillo to broach the idea of resigning as early as January this year.

"But Mr. Kanapi said I should give it one more try. So, after finishing out the season, I reviewed the team’s performance and decided this is a good a time as any to go on with my plans," said Ronquillo.

"It was a very amicable, cordial separation," Ronquillo described his talks with the team management. Ronquillo’s contract was to expire Dec. 31 next year.

Ronquillo met with his players yesterday and informed them of his decision. He said it was a very "emotional" meeting.

The portly former La Salle player, who also had a championship with Burger Machine in the PBL, joined Shell as assistant coach in 1997 and assumed the head-coaching job the following year, succeeding Chito Narvasa.— Nelson Beltran