Alfrancis Chua. PBA/Nuki Sabio
After steering Barangay Ginebra to a surprise second-place finish in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup less than two months ago, Alfrancis Chua has reportedly tendered his resignation as coach over alleged differences with members of management.
This development came as a complete surprise after Chua got his walking-wounded Gin Kings to scrape past practically everyone before losing via a sweep to eventual champion Alaska in the best-of-five title series.
San Miguel Corporation officials refused to answer calls or return text messages on the issue, further fanning the flames of a reported farewell speech given by Chua to his players during practice yesterday.
It was the first practice of the team since that second place finish even as Rudy Hatfield has also reportedly retired and Chua set to bring back former PBA MVP Eric Menk from a stint in the Asean Basketball League with the San Miguel Beermen.
Ginebra was in the news lately after its acquisition of Japeth Aguilar and the reported plan of former Meralco slotman Asi Taulava to make a grand PBA comeback with the Kings.
Taulava won the ABL MVP at 40 years old while playing for San Miguel and rumors have it that the 6-foot-9 Fil-Tongan is set to return as a member of the Ginebra crew.
Less than three weeks before, a reshuffle had taken place in the coaching staff of the three SMC teams, with Olsen Racela given his walking papers by Petron and Gee Abanilla assuming head coaching chores.