Post-Capacio Tams turn to 3 deputies, Gallent

MANILA—A three-man coaching crew will temporarily call the shots for the Far Eastern University men’s basketball team, even as PBA coach Jorge Gallent has offered to help whip the Tamaraws back to top form following the resignation of head coach Glenn Capacio.   Assistant mentors Richie Ticzon, Bert Flores and Mike Oliver have been tasked to take over from Capacio when the Tamaraws vie to redeem themselves from their recent UAAP Finals debacle in the University Games in Dumaguete in three weeks and the Philippine Collegiate Champions League next month.   “They will take the lead temporarily,” Anton Montinola, FEU’s representative to the UAAP board, told the Inquirer Tuesday.   Gallent, a former FEU player and now coach of B-Meg Derby Ace in the PBA, is also expected to play an active role in the coming months following a discussion with Montinola yesterday.   “Of course I’m willing to help,” said Gallent, who played alongside Johnny Abarrientos and Vic Pablo in FEU.   “I already asked permission from my PBA team. So whether it’s to help FEU find a new coach or act as consultant, I can help.”   “We’re open to all options,” said Montinola.  “We have no short list yet [of coaching candidates], it’s quite early. We need a lot of time to think and consult different parties. There’s no point in rushing into a decision.”   The 46-year-old Capacio formally submitted his resignation letter yesterday, ending his four-year stint at the Tamaraws’ helm, to allow management to “freely decide and start planning on the team’s future.”   In a statement yesterday, FEU said it accepted Capacio’s resignation and thanked the former King Tamaraw for giving “his best to his alma mater.”   Capacio steered the favored FEU squad to the top of the UAAP eliminations with a 12-2 record, and to the title round after conquering La Salle in the Final Four.   But the Tamaraws absorbed a shocking blowout loss against the Eagles, 72-49,  in Game 1, before  absorbing another heartbreaker in Game 2, 65-62, where they played minus Capacio the entire second half.   Capacio suffered from hypertension midway through the game and was rushed to the hospital. He recently said he needs to undergo two more medical tests this week.   “Bottomline is his health and family are paramount,” said Montinola.