3-on-3: Ginebra coaching change

MANILA, Philippines — Alfrancis Chua stunned the PBA world when he abruptly resigned from his Ginebra head-coaching perch early this week. What is our 3-on-3 panel’s take on this issue? Read on.

1. Did Alfrancis Chua make the right decision of resigning from Ginebra?

Rodneil Quiteles: It’s hard to comment on this because none of the parties involved have given any concrete reason why he decided to leave in the first place. There’s buzz about a disagreement between Chua and a management official over the constant changes in the team but nothing has been confirmed right now.

There are still too many missing details. Who is that official? Many believe it is San Miguel Corp. basketball director Noli Eala but he has gone on Twitter saying the “hate” he’s getting is “mostly unfair” and that the fans are “barking up the wrong tree.”

Whether or not the decision is right depends on where you stand and what you stand for. I’m all for building on what you already have. If the rumors turn out to be true, I think what coach Chua did has the potential to be in the best interest of Ginebra.

Enzo Flojo: It’s all a mystery as of now. Judging by how well they did in the previous conference, it must have taken something really BIG for Chua to step down as coach. We can only speculate at this point, but I have the impression a guy like Chua doesn’t leave a team like Ginebra, or an organization like SMC, without any justifiable cause.

The fact that the reason is reportedly of a personal nature just adds fuel to the fire that something shady has been happening behind the scenes at SMC. If, indeed, Chua was on the receiving end of something personally offensive, then I say he did make the right choice.

Pio Garcia: Al Chua made the right decision. He felt like his bounds as a coach were being stepped upon by this guy we will call “Pogi.” I mean, come on, you are the head coach yet you can’t have a say on who will be on your roster? That’s a whole different kind of crazy that NBA coaches or Tim Cone, Norman Black and Yeng Guiao won’t take sitting down.

You want overall improvements in your roster so you should definitely have an input on who gets who and not surprise you with, “Hey we got this guy because he is a superstar” and that brouhaha. That’s crazy. Being the guy who directs all traffic when the buzzer sounds, you have to have a say on the personnel you will be managing. Who meshes with who, who can complement my main gun, Mark Caguioa in this case, and will have a definitive role. It’s not a fantasy league.

2. What does his resignation mean to Ginebra’s campaign in the Governor’s Cup?

Quiteles: Adjustment, adjustment, adjustment. After coming short in the Commissioner’s Cup Finals, you would think they would keep most of their core intact, including its coaching staff. Instead of building on what they have already established, Ginebra will find itself in yet another adjustment period with the recent changes. 

Flojo: Trouble. The Governor’s Cup won’t be as long as the Philippine Cup, so the Kings have to make adjustments early and hope they can just pile on the wins and qualify for the next round. At this point, however, with so many changes — Japeth coming in, H-Bomb retiring, and now this — I am not thoroughly convinced they’re a bet.

Garcia: The players have learned to trust this long-haired rockstar. They may have fallen short in their first try with him at the helm but you can see the special spring in the players’ steps when they trundle on the hardcourt. You know that even if they get behind, he has a plan that will make them come back. That it is not only a player’s game but also, that of the coach.

Without the coach, everyone would be in disarray. LA Tenorio, as good as he is, cannot be a playing coach. There can only be one playing coach in the PBA’s history. Whoever’s going to replace him has some huge shoes to fill. He practically lifted a dead-last Ginebra squad oozing with firepower to a bridesmaid finish. That’s not shabby at all. No sir.

3. Who should replace Chua as Ginebra coach?

Quiteles: Jawo? Wishful thinking. 

With so much drama surrounding Chua’s resignation, whoever will replace him has to have the will, determination, and perhaps charisma to quickly get the team going. Most importantly, he has to embody the Ginebra “Never Say Die” attitude. 

Flojo: Hey, I would place Olsen back on top. Get him out of San Mig Coffee and give him a head coaching position. He’s earned it, and I think he deserves more than one conference to prove his worth.

Garcia: The ideal replacement should be someone with a strong will and personality to stymie the fantasy hook-ups of the “Pogi.” Not only that, a deep knowledge of what complimentary pieces should be added to the roster to finally get over the hump. Why? Because a star-studded line-up can only go so far, just ask the 2004 Lakers of Shaq, Malone, ‘Mamba and Payton.

What you need is a team. Not stars. A team, 5 people willing to share that rock, with two willing to do the dirty work, while the rest put up the points across the board. My best bet? Rajko Toroman comes to mind. – Rappler.com

READ: 3-on-3: Gilas Pilipinas roster questions