Codiñera to coach PBL-bound Teletech

Jerry Codiñera, the former Philippine Basketball Association star, would be plying his trade in the Philippine Basketball League not as a player, but as a coach.

Codiñera, who last suited up for the FedEx Express, was tapped as coach of Teletech, a call center company that could be the ninth team in the league when the season-opening conference unfolds on March 25.

The American-owned company could be the league’s newest squad if the board chaired by Chito Loyzaga of newly-crowned PBL Heroes Cup champion Magnolia Dairy Ice Cream approved its entry in its meeting today.

In fact, Codiñera and some members of the team management were present in yesterday’s rookie camp at the Reyes Gym in Mandaluyong City to look for potential players who could be tapped for the team.

The group is also expected to attend tomorrow’s Rookie Draft pick at the league office in Ortigas.

If given the green light, Teletech would be the league’s ninth team joining Magnolia, Rain or Shine, Harbour Centre, Granny Goose Tortillos, Montana Pawnshop, Far Eastern Insurance, Hapee Toothpaste and Toyota Otis.

Codiñera has played for 16 years in the PBA, spending the better part of his career with Purefoods where he and now team manager Alvin Patrimonio led the franchise to several titles.

Before that, Codiñera played in the PBL and was a vital cog of a number of national teams which competed in international tournaments.

His biggest moment came when the PBA named him into the elite 25 Greatest Players during its silver anniversary celebration in 1999.

He retired when FedEx traded him to Shell, now replaced by Welcoat Paints, for Ronald Tubid.