MANILA, Philippines?Many people were a bit surprised when Coke hired former Air21 head coach Bo Perasol to assist head mentor Kenneth Duremdes on the bench.

Where was the connection? I, like several others, wondered. Kenneth was from Adamson U while Bo was a product of the University of the Philippines.

Had they worked or played together in their pre-PBA days? Or could it be that Bo was a personal choice of Coke team manager/governor Jose Bayani ?JB? Baylon who?s also an alumnus of UP?

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According to Kenneth, who was recently signed by Baylon to a three-year contract, Bo was his personal choice.

?Like me Bo also hails from Marbel, although his family moved to GenSan when he was in high school. We both attended Notre Dame,? Kenneth said.

?I chose Bo not because he?s my schoolmate and kababayan but because I believe his experience as Air 21 head coach will be a big help to the Tigers. Adapting his system will hopefully improve our team on fastbreak plays.

In addition to Bo, George Ella will also be assisting Kenneth, while Gerard Francisco will continue to be the assistant team manager to Baylon.

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While Coke has formally announced changes in its coaching staff, Red Bull is expected to make theirs this coming week, as the Chinese lunar calendar ushers in the year of the hard-working ox on Jan. 26.

?This coming PBA second conference, the Barakos will carry the name of our new product Barako Bull. This is a new energy drink that tastes exactly like Red Bull but costs so much less,? said Barako Bull alternate governor Raffy Casyao, who has yet to announce the name of the new head coach who will replace Yeng Guiao.

Will it be Yeng?s former assistant Gee Abanilla, Leo Isaac, Leo Austria or Eric Altamirano?

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I didn?t get this straight from the horse?s mouth, but it?s easy to believe that Rain or Shine owners Raymond Yu and Terry Que were not exactly devastated when their team failed to make it to the semifinals of the ongoing Philippine Cup.

?The owners said they?ll take it one step at a time. Right now they?re more than happy that their won games have more than doubled this season compared to the last, and the profile and character of the team have been tremendously enhanced.

?At least, hindi na daw sila ang first to pick sa rookie draft this August. Kasi pag first, it only means na kulelat ka,? said the Welcoat insider.