Gavina resigns, Dandan steps in as Kia head coach

After just two games under his belt as Kia’s official head coach, longtime assistant Chris Gavina has stepped down from his spot early into the PBA Philippine Cup.

“He talked to [team manager] Joe Lipa about resigning,” said Kia governor Bobby Rosales Saturday.

Replacing Gavina is assistant coach Ricky Dandan who will take over the 0-2 Picanto.

Although Gavina was the prominent presence in Kia’s bench since 2016, he was never the team’s official head mentor as the designation belonged to Manny Pacquiao.

Gavina only got the lead coaching position at the start of the 2017-2018 PBA season.

Kia’s only playoff stint in its history was in the 2016 Governors’ Cup as the then assistant coach Gavina took over the reins from Pacquiao.

James White, Niño Cañaleta, and Aldrech Ramos led the then Mahindra Enforcer to a 6-5 record, including a 4-0 start, before bowing to Meralco in the first round of the playoffs.