MANILA, Philippines—Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala appealed Saturday to critics protesting Rajko Toroman’s appointment as the national basketball’s program project director for a little calm, saying the Serbian is “capable and willing to help.”

“It is best for everyone to just calm down,” Eala said in a text message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “We all belong to the same team so let’s not pull each other down.”

“Why don’t we give change a chance?” he added. “We have a person who is clearly capable and is willing to help. Maraming dala sa mesa si Toroman (Toroman brings a lot to the table), including something we badly need—instant global credibility to our program.”

Eala was reacting to reports quoting national coach Yeng Guiao as saying that money was misspent on Toroman. Newspaper reports quoted Guiao as saying that the SBP should have spent its money on naturalizing a foreign 7-footer for the national team instead.

“I’m sure he (Guiao) will have enough funds at his disposal to get his 7-footer,” said Eala.

Toroman’s hiring has been the subject of intense scrutiny by the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP), which sees his appointment as a stepping stone toward a head coaching job with the national team.

The BCAP frowns on foreigners holding local coaching positions as part of its mandate to protect the welfare of Filipino coaches.

Eala said Toroman, indeed, may end up coaching the national team, but only if the program of the former Iran national mentor passes SBP scrutiny. When that happens, Toroman’s appointment will be made in the proper manner.

“There will be nothing illegal or unlawful about it,” Eala explained.

The former PBA commissioner has also been in contact with BCAP chief Chito Narvasa, although Narvasa said Tuesday night that he is still awaiting one more document—Toroman’s intended program—before holding more talks with the SBP.

“We asked for his [curriculum vitae] and his program because we wanted to come up with a win-win situation,” Narvasa told the Inquirer Tuesday night. “But we were not furnished a copy of his program tapos nagkapirmahan nalang (and all of a sudden, there was already a contract-signing).”

Eala, who has already submitted the Serbian’s CV, assured the BCAP that Toroman is still working on the program after familiarizing himself with the Philippine setting.

“Like Toroman said, every program is unique,” Eala said. “What worked in Iran is not necessarily the program that will be used in the Philippines. It needs to be adjusted according to our culture, player makeup and environment. As soon as it will be finished, it will be discussed with the appropriate and necessary groups.” Cedelf P. Tupas