Smart-Gilas, an all-amateur team tasked to represent the country in major basketball tournaments in the Asian region, and defending PBA Philippine Cup champion Talk ‘N Text will each have new faces in their respective front office.
Long-time TNT manager Frankie Lim will move to the Rajko Toroman-coached Smart-Gilas national developmental team where he will replace Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala.
Lim will still coach the San Beda Red Lions in the NCAA, a team also being supported by Pangilinan.
Taking over Lim’s position at the TNT front office is former La Salle coach Virgil Villavicencio, who served as assistant team manager of the Tropang Texters this season.
The Tropang Texters lost to the Barako Bull Energy Drinkers, 99-97, last Sunday and were beaten by the Ginebra Gin Kings, 105-82, in the league’s first game of the year.
There were unconfirmed reports of bickering within the squad. A source disclosed that one of the squad’s star players had demanded to be traded.
Lim and Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes had a history of running feuds. But it’s remains to be seen if this is indeed the main reason for the changes in the Tropang Texters management.
But Villavicencio quickly clarified that the moves has nothing to do with the back-to-back losses suffered by the Texters, who are seeking to become the first team since Great Taste Coffee to retain the PBA All-Filipino crown.
He also downplayed rumors of internal squabbles in the team. "The management felt that maybe Frankie is needed in Smart Gilas," Villavicencio told GMANews.TV.
"It has nothing to do with the two losses. We’re a solid basketball team and we still like our chances in the PBA. We’re the defending champions so we have to play with a sense of pride."
Source: Author Unknown | gmanews.tv
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