Banal grateful for opportunity as he parts ways with Phoenix

Erstwhile Phoenix coach Koy Banal.

Coach Koy Banal had nothing but great words to say about Phoenix.

Replaced by coach Ariel Vanguardia at the helm of the Fuel Masters on Tuesday, the mentor is glad to help the league newcomer find their footing in their first conference in the PBA.

“All I can say is I’m just grateful for the opportunity,” Banal told INQUIRER.net in a short text message on Wednesday.

Banal was at the helm when Phoenix Petroleum acquired the Barako Bull franchise back in January.

With a solid cast led by JC Intal, RR Garcia, and Willy Wilson, the Fuel Masters tried to compete with the rest of the league during the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.

However, those efforts fell flat in the end as they finished with a 3-11 record, good for 11th after the eliminations.

Phoenix has undergone several roster changes during this elongated conference break, trading away several names, including Garcia.