The basketball community must know by now that University of Santo Tomas’ Pido Jarencio is being installed as head coach of Globalport.
To say that he is replacing Ritchie Ticzon may be erroneous since Ritchie was appointed to the position only on an interim basis.
However, neither Pido nor Globalport owner Mikee Romero would confirm the report.
* * *
To my recollection, Mikee has had his eyes on the UST Tigers coach as far back as more than a year ago.
They have had long and serious talks about Mikee’s offer at that time when negotiations seemed to be so positive, but nothing happened.
Or was it Barako Bull who wanted Pido?
Then in this year’s preseason, Mikee thought of Pido again.
“Junel Baculi had been my hands-down choice for our maiden season, but it turned out that he was so hot-headed (mainitin ang ulo) and short-tempered, games were lost because of this. I considered other options,” he said.
Mikee said the short list of candidates to replace Baculi was narrowed down to FEU Tamaraws coach Nash Racela, Alaska assistant coach Alex Compton and Pido.
“Unfortunately Pido had no time to talk with us that time since his mind, body and spirit were fully focused on the UAAP championship against La Salle. I had to decide ASAP because the PBA was about to start so I made Ritchie the interim coach.”
* * *
Will the Mikee-Pido partnership finally materialize this time around?
Online writer and PTV-4’s Snow Badua is certain it’s a done deal. He was writing the story when we arrived at the JCSGO gym for the D-League games last Thursday.
Indeed, the report is all over the social media, but we still have to see it on print, officially.
“Will Pido join Globalport?” This was our final question to Mikee who was uncharacteristically answering with much caution.
“Most probably,” he replied. “Pero kailangan pa niyang magpaalam (He needs to secure the blessing of) The fathers at UST, we were told.