MANILA, Philippines—Almost two decades ago, Ato Agustin won a closely-fought Most Valuable Player race that ushered him into the ranks of basketball superstars.
Now, he gets to coach the team he won his lone MVP trophy with, one whose roster can’t seem to get its rich talent to pull together during big matches.
An Inquirer source, who declined to be named for lack of authority to speak on the matter, said San Miguel Beer management named coach of the defending NCAA champion San Sebastian to replace Siot Tanquingcen Thursday, selecting him over longtime assistant Gee Abanilla.
Since the NCAA season is only halfway through, Agustin’s duties will not start until the collegiate league ends. Thus, Abanilla will supervise preparations of the Beermen when camp opens on Sept. 15.
It was a quick rise to the top for the former daredevil shooting guard from Pampanga, who started coaching less than two years ago, but has won almost every tournament his Stags have played in.
Agustin, who won four titles with San Sebastian in his maiden season of high-level coaching last year, will opt out of the final year of his contract with the Stags next year since PBA rules don’t permit their head coaches from holding the same post in other leagues.
Tanquingcen, who won the 2009 Fiesta Conference with San Miguel, is wildly rumored to be heading back to Barangay Ginebra and rejoin Jong Uichico as an assistant. His first two titles in the PBA came with the Gin Kings.
Meanwhile, Coca-Cola will be carrying the name of the Powerade Tigers starting with the Philippine Cup on Oct. 3.
Newcomer Meralco also announced yesterday that its squad will be known as the B-Boys, the same name given to American breakdancers, as the firm wants their players to be entertaining and athletic.
The Tigers launched their new name Wednesday night in Makati, where team governor JB Baylon also said they are open to the idea of trading away franchise player Asi Taulava but in a “deal that would be commensurate to his position in the team.”
Baylon implied that Taulava is worth at least two blue-chip players.
Several teams have reportedly shown interest in Taulava, most notable among them Meralco, but Baylon said nothing concrete has been struck.
Meralco also had its name-launch last night and coach Ryan Gregorio said his squad is in the hunt for several players in the free-agent market, among them Jay-R Reyes of Rain or Shine.
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