US coach hot pick to handle Chargers

Perry Ronquillo’s backup staff will be back in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Assistant coaches Joey Guanio and Jigs Mendoza plus trainer Herc Callanta are returning on the Shell bench. But Ronquillo isn’t.

So far, Shell management hasn’t announced who will replace Ronquillo as head coach. That’s probably why the Turbochargers are still on vacation. The team opens training camp on Monday–the day after the PBA rookie camp.

Guanio, Mendoza and Callanta are reportedly meeting with team manager Bobby Kanapi at the Shell office in Makati either today or tomorrow–before Ronquillo’s successor is formally introduced.

John Moran, who conducted the PBA rookie camp last year, is the rumored hot pick to take over from Ronquillo despite a threat from Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP) president Chito Narvasa to block the appointment. Narvasa, who used to coach Shell, is questioning the propriety of an American taking away a job from a qualified Filipino.

Moran, 58, is still in the US, supposedly scouting for Shell’s import in the transition Fiesta Cup starting next month. He’s expected back before the rookie camp on Sunday.

It’s not certain if Moran has been issued a work permit for the Shell job. If he hasn’t, it’s probably why his appointment has been stalled.

Moran apparently got Shell management’s nod because of his work in transforming Tony de la Cruz into a star. He has also worked with Mike Hrabak, Adonis Sta. Maria and Frederick Canlas.

There was talk that Moran’s influence on the players he trains created a rift in the Shell team, leading to Ronquillo’s departure. Ronquillo declined to comment on it in an interview, insisting the reason for his exit was simply because "it was time to go."

A source confided that in the middle of last season, Moran was introduced to Ronquillo and his staff at a team meeting. Moran attempted to sell his approach to the game, bringing with him a bundle of tapes and books.

It was Los Angeles-based Filipino agent Chique de la Rosa who brought Moran to Manila in late 2002. Moran uprooted himself and was determined to start a new life here. He’d been divorced over 20 years and his only child, a 25-year-old son, is on his own. Moran decided to try his luck in a country 10,000 miles away from home where he could share his passion for basketball.

Moran’s claim to fame is his association with former Indiana University coach Bobby Knight.

"My years working for Bobby were stressful," said Moran. "But just being around him was a gift. I got to know his philosophy, his system."

For five years, Moran was Knight’s caddy at Indiana–breaking down game tapes, scouting prospects, counseling players with substance abuse problems, preparing travel itineraries, reviewing recruiting policies and formulating gameplans and strategies. He also set up Knight’s summer camps.

In a recommendation letter, Knight had this to say about Moran:

"His attention to offensive mechanics and the level of effort required by the participants is as good as I have ever seen. Coach Moran has spent countless hours in the video tape room with my staff breaking down game films and evaluating prospective player talent. He has outstanding knowledge of the game and a great ability to transmit this knowledge to the players.

"John is a very loyal person who will work extremely hard and he would be an excellent addition to (any) staff and community. I think he would be excellent for any position he would be seeking in the coaching field."

The Brooklyn-born Moran, who is of Irish descent, played basketball for the Navy in 1963-64. He graduated with a degree in physical education at San Francisco State in 1976 and earned a Master’s degree in clinical sports psychology at John F. Kennedy University in 1991.

Moran began his coaching career at Balboa High School in San Francisco in 1976. One of his star players Francois Wise went on to play at Long Beach State and the PBA as a long-time import.

"If you’re willing to learn, I’ll make you better," said Moran. "But if you can’t focus and don’t like to pay attention to details, you’ll find it hard to play for me. I teach the team concept and I expect my players to play as a team."

In an interview, Moran explained his philosophy.

"I’m a believer of the team concept," he said. "I like passing, getting players to touch the ball. If you’re unselfish and teachable, we’ll get along. If you do things well, I can make you do things better. I love the idea of team basketball, not selfish isolation. Basketball is an art. There is a graciousness in it. Passing can be as good as scoring a basket and screening can be as good as grabbing a rebound. It’s all about playing as a team, about guys contributing to the team effort."

The rumor is Shell will initially offer Moran a one-conference contract to determine his true worth.