Talk n Text board representative Ricky Vargas told The STAR consultant Derrick Pumaren and national coach Chot Reyes are their two choices to replace Banal.
"We had an honest-to-goodness assessment of the team Friday. We’re actually still assessing our options but coach Joel has offered to resign as a supreme sacrifice and I’m now actively looking for a new coach," said Vargas.
"He’s been with us for three years, maybe he’s got tired. Pahinga raw muna siya sa basketball," Vargas added.
Vargas said they have approached Reyes but has yet to finalize a deal with him.
Reyes is currently on leave as head coach of the Coca-Cola Tigers as he’s concentrating with the PBA-backed national training pool. Apparently, Phone Pals who are with the national pool batted for Reyes to be their coach at Talk n Text.
The TnT management called for a thorough reassessment of things with the team following a mediocre fifth-place finish in the Fiesta Cup where the Phone Pals were among the pre-tournament favorites to emerge as champions.
Vargas felt they formed a formidable lineup but failed to get a good chemistry.
"Maganda na ang team but we have some problems. We’re not working as a team. If I say team, that included the coaching staff, the players and the management," said Vargas.
Before that fifth-place finish, the Phone Pals had their glorious moments in the PBA under Banal.
With the former Mapua King Cardinal at the helm, the Pals won their breakthrough championship and had two second- and two third-place finishes in six conferences.
Banal compiled an 82-65 win-loss record — the best by any coach who has handled the team in terms of winning percentage and most number of games won.
Before taking the rein at Talk n Text, Banal won championships in the NCAA, the UAAP and the PBL.