FILE – Barangay Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Alfrancis Chua, the architect behind San Miguel Corp.’s dynastic rule in the PBA, is officially a part of the Gilas Pilipinas program.
No less PBA commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed the development on Wednesday during the halftime of TNT and Magnolia’s Philippine Cup semifinal clash at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The league chief likened Chua’s role to that of a consultant.
Chua, who serves as a team governor to crowd darling Barangay Ginebra, will tackle player and practice logistics as executive advisor for the national basketball team which is entering a critical phase for its buildup for the 2023 Fiba World Cup which will be held here, in Japan and Indonesia.
“He’s going to talk to players and figure out what else needs to be done,” Marcial said of Chua, who also serves as the SMC sports director.
Chua began handling San Miguel teams back in July 2015. Since then, the SMC bloc has won 14 of the last 16 PBA conferences.
Chua’s appointment was made during the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ stakeholders’ meeting in Makati last Monday, and was approved unanimously, according to the PBA chief.
Marcial allayed fears that the appointment of Chua—who is known to be hands-on with his players over at the San Miguel bloc—could cause complications in a program that Reyes handles.
“He’s (Chua) is only an advisor. (Chot) will still have final say,” he said. “I don’t think there’s going to be any problems.”