Phone Pals to decide fate of Banal, coaching staff

Talk n Text board representative Ricky Vargas and coach Joel Banal will meet today to discuss the fate of the ballclub’s coaching staff and the makeup of the team following its early exit in the PBA Fiesta Cup Conference. The Phone Pals’ management admitted it’s not happy with the stint of the team in the ongoing conference and is in the process of reevaluating the performances of its coaching staff and players.

Vargas confided to a Star source that they would first decide on the fate of their coaches before studying their options on the makeup of the team. He had earlier talked with the players Wednesday.

The source said the management is thinking on three possibilities — to keep Banal, replace him with current consultant Derrick Pumaren or tap someone else from outside the organization.

Chot Reyes’ name has been mentioned as a top candidate to take over from Banal. Apparently, Talk n Text players on the national team recommended Reyes to the management.

The Phone Pals were among the pre-tournament favorites owing to a formidable lineup which was further beefed up by the arrival of prized rookies Anthony Washington and Macmac Cardona. But the team failed to make it past the quarterfinals, bowing to a resurgent Air21. — Nelson Beltran