Chua explains Cariaso’s dismissal, Agustin hire

Naveen Ganglani

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Chua explains Cariaso’s dismissal, Agustin hire
Ginebra team governor and manager Alfrancis Chua says the coaching changes all boil down to one thing - performance

MANILA, Philippines – One of the most shocking news to come out of the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) during the recently-concluded holiday season was the dismissal of now former Barangay Ginebra Head Coach Jeffrey Cariaso, who was let go after spending just two conferences with the franchise.

The move sparked debate with pundits and analysts – most of whom were against the move by the Gin Kings – while the faithful fan base of Ginebra had to go through another chapter of the team’s custom over the past few seasons of juggling head coaches.

But according to Barangay Ginebra team manager Alfrancis Chua, the decision to cut ties with Cariaso as the head coach was not a random act made by the franchise. Using the coach’s performance and results over his short tenure as assessment, Ginebra management thought it was best to move on from the Cariaso Era.

“It’s about performance,” Chua, a former head coach of Ginebra himself, told Rappler on Monday, January 5, during the team’s first practice of 2015.

“That’s a management decision,” he said about Ginebra dismissing Cariaso – a decision that was made after consultation with the team’s players. “We talked about it. We talked to the players.”

Chua didn’t indicate that the players were not in good terms with Cariaso, who went just 12-11 during his time with Ginebra despite the club being loaded with talent and veterans from each position. But he did rave about how Cariaso’s replacement, former champion head coach Ato Agustin, is admired by the roster.

“The players like him. We had some options, but the players like him,” Chua said about Agustin, who also coached Ginebra in the past (2013-2014) and was an assistant under Cariaso. “And he listens (to his players). Yun yung pinakamaganda (that’s what’s best). Ato listens.”

In 2011, Agustin led the Petron Blaze Boosters (now the San Miguel Beermen) to that PBA season’s Governors’ Cup championship, becoming just the 9th head coach in PBA history to win a title in his rookie season.

“Ato is not a rookie coach. He won a championship already. He knows a feeling of a coach, he knows a job of a coach. You have to perform. That’s the bottomline,” Chua said curtly.

Chua said there are no favorites when it comes to picking Ginebra’s head coaches. Performance and results, above all, are what matter for the franchise and in the PBA.

Kahit sabihin mo, ‘winning is not everything,’ it’s not true. Winning is everything. Kailangan ka manalo talaga,” Chua said while members of Ginebra dribbled basketballs and participated in drills in the background.

(Even if you say, “winning is not everything,” it’s not true. Winning is everything. You really have to win.)

Winning is the pedestal to become a successful franchise. And with the resources Ginebra has put to this team, management feels there should be better results on the hardwood from here on out, even if it means making tough choices, which was the case with letting go of Cariaso.

“Every conference, everybody should expect something. They have to perform. That’s the key in a team. Of course, management is spending money, management is giving us what we need. They (Ginebra’s coaching staff and players) have to perform. I know it’s easier said than done, but they have to perform. That’s their job,” Chua said.

Barring a championship for the rest of the 2015 PBA season, it will be seven years since Ginebra last won a PBA title (2008 Fiesta Conference) when the season ends. The team’s brain trust is hungry for a title, and is dedicated to ensuring the right pieces comprise the team to produce just that.

Kung gagamit ka nang magandang sapatos, eh hindi naman fit para sayo, [then] you have to change,” was the analogy Chua used to talk about the dismissal of Cariaso.

(If you’re using a nice pair of shoes, but it doesn’t fit you, you have to change)

Dalawang klase lang ang coach dito sa buong mundo: isang tinanggal at isang tatanggalin. Alam nila kung gano kasarap mag coach sa PBA, lalong-lalo na sa Ginebra. If they’re performing well, sa fans, iba ka.

(There are only two kinds of coaches in this world: one who was replaced and one who will be replaced. They know how great it feels to coach in the PBA, especially for Ginebra. If they’re performing well, for the fans, you’re distinct.)

“But if you’re not performing [well], ganon talaga eh (that’s just the way it is).”

“I love my job”

Although it was brief, Chua’s run as Ginebra’s head coach from January-July 2013 was a success, highlighted by the team, as underdogs, making it to the finals of the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, where they were swept by the Alaska Aces in three games.

A few months later, Chua was appointed as the team manager of Ginebra, while Agustin was handed his first stint as the Gin Kings’ head coach. When asked if the Ginebra fan base could see Chua calling the shots from the bench once again, his response was short and brusque:

Ayaw ko na talaga.” (I really don’t want to anymore.)

That’s not to say he’s lost the passion to coach or in the game. “Sa akin (for me), I think coaching is in my blood. Basketball is in my blood,” he said.

HELP MORE. Ginebra team governor and manager Alfrancis Chua says he relishes his current position because it allows him to "help more people." Photo by Josh Albelda/Rappler

“But what I’m doing right now (being the team manager of Ginebra), I think I’m more helpful to the players. I’m more helpful [to] management and, to tell you frankly, I love my job.”

“It’s new to me, but I’m learning, and the learning process, nag e-enjoy ako dahil mas marami tayong natutulungan na tao.” (I’m really enjoying because I get to help more people.)

– Rappler.com

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