Big J open to coaching national five again

NBAlegend Allen Iverson (left) greets his PBA counterpart Robert
Jaworski during a break in last night’s “All In” charity game atMoA Arena. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

PBA great Robert Jaworski isn’t someone who backs down from a challenge, particularly if it’s coaching the national basketball team.

The former senator and national coach on Wednesday night said he is open to the possibility of calling the shots for the next national team that will be formed in the wake of a seventh-place finish by the Chot Reyes-mentored Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games.

Jaworski spoke with reporters during the “All In” charity game, where he also addressed the crowd during halftime with former NBA MVP Allen Iverson at Mall of Asia Arena.

‘Tough, but not a bad idea’

“It’s going to be a tough job but I think, taking a serious look at it, it is not a bad idea,” said Jaworski, a former PBA MVP, who piloted the first all-pro Philippine team to a silver-medal finish in the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has formed a selection committee to come up with the next pool of players as well as the coach for the team that’s hoping to sustain the inroads made by Gilas the past few years.

“It’s a calling, but it’s a tough job,” said Jaworski. “If you get the support of the group in basketball and the general public, you can’t go wrong.”

No use for finger-pointing

Jaworski said there’s no use for finger-pointing now as to who should take responsibility for the Asian Games debacle.

“I’m proactive, I don’t want to point fingers,” said Jaworski. “Let’s learn from the mistakes and look forward to the things we would have probably done.

“We must realize that winning is something. But the manner by which you win and the quorum that you put together is the best representation the country can make.”