MANILA, Philippines – After the GlobalPort Batang Pier got eliminated two days ago in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup, talks are ripe that a new head coach is set to take over the team from interim coach Ritchie Ticzon.
GlobalPort team manager BJ Manalo confirmed to Philstar.com that they are considering such move.
“We’re considering having a new head coach,†Manalo said.
GlobalPort lost to Rain or Shine, 96-106, in the quarterfinals last Wednesday. And the Batang Pier are targeting UST head coach Pido Jarencio to succeed Ticzon.
“Coach Pido is very high on our list,†Manalo said.
“Katatapos lang ng game namin nung isang araw. Right now, we just want to take a break then evaluate our performance this conference,†added the boyish looking team manager, who once suited up for the De La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP.
Jarencio, for his part, does not want to comment just yet.
“Sa ngayon, nasa UST pa ako. Ayoko munang mag-comment about it,†Jarencio told Philstar.com in a separate interview.
Jarencio, who was the 1992 PBA Most Improved Player, is ripe for a head coaching position in the pros after leading UST back to being a title contender in the UAAP. He won a championship right in his rookie season in 2006 and was named the Coach of the Year.
Since 2006, he led UST to the Final Four six out of eight tries, including three trips to the Finals.
It is not the first time, however, that Jarencio is being targeted for a head coaching job in the PBA after his stint as an assistant coach at San Miguel/Petron Blaze before falling out of favor.
He almost got the Barako Bull head coaching job until Rajko Toroman entered the picture. Now, it looks like he’s closer to finally getting his dream of coaching in the PBA.
“Basta malalaman niyo rin pero wala pa sa ngayon,†Jarencio said.