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SLEEPLESS NIGHT FOR BACULI
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“MEDYO hindi nakatulog ng maayos kagabi.”
Thus bared Globalport head coach Junel Baculi Friday morning amid reports that broke in the social media late Thursday that Batang Pier team owner Mikee Romero is looking for a new coach.
Baculi, who took over from Glenn Capacio early this year, said he had no inkling his job was on the line.
“Wala namang nagsasabi sa’kin,” he said during a break in practice at the Moro Lorenzo Sports
Baculi said Romero had even taken him aside days before the PBA rookie draft Sunday and told him: “We trust in you, just give back the trust we’re giving you.”
The news, Baculi said, came as a surprise.
Three names have been mentioned as possible replacements – the Racela brothers, Nash and Olsen, and Alaska Milk assistant Alex Compton.
Nash, coach of Far Eastern University, is an assistant to Norman Black at Talk ‘N Text.
A source said Romero was initially partial to Nash Racela since Olsen appeared set on relearning the ropes as part of Tim Cone’s staff at San Mig Coffee following an ill-starred stint as Petron Blaze head coach.
But the thought of winning over Compton, who many believe was instrumental in the Aces’ 2013 Commissioner’s Cup championship series sweep of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, was apparently as alluring.
“Pinag-isipan talaga ni boss Mikee,” the source said. “Noong una, okey na siya ke coach Nash, pero ngayon gusto niyang subukan kung puwede si Alex Compton.”
Another coach whom Romero reportedly has his eyes on is Air21’s Franz Pumaren.
“A yun wala nang tanungan; pag available si coach Franz, sigurado na siyang kukunin ni boss,” the source said.
Any which way, Baculi seemed destined to be left out in the cold.
The veteran mentor, famous for his trigger-quick temper, as his slick-backed hair and pencil-thin moustache, was a consultant in Romero’s Harbour Centre team which won seven championships in the Philippine Basketball League.
And when the former De La Salle Green Archer decided to come to the rescue of the Philippine team in 2007 after FIBA lifted a two-year suspension levied on the country’s basketball program, Romero tapped Baculi to handle the RP team, leading the Nationals to the gold medal in the SEABA Men’s Championship and the Southeast Asian Games.
Baculi was with Barako Bull when the PBA approved Globalport’s purchase of the Powerade franchise last season. But he left the Energy Cola in November 2012 and took over from Glenn Capacio at the helm of the Batang Pier early this year.
The apparent fall from grace, as far as Romero is concerned, apparently was triggered by Baculi getting ejected with a second technical in the third quarter of a crucial playoff game with Rain or Shine in the recent Governors’ Cup.
“Boss Mikee felt Globalport was in a very strong position to win the game and maybe advance to the semifinals,” the source said. “Ang pakiramdam tuloy niya, parang in-abandon yung team.”
Baculi said he wouldn’t stand in the way if Globalport chooses to replace him
“I won’t mind; professional naman tayo e” he said. “Pero as long as hindi pa tayo sinasabihan ni boss Mikee, I will continue to do my job. Yun ang trabaho ko. When management tells me to stop, then that’s it.”
Baculi said he would seek an audience with Romero in order to clear the air. (WJRHT)
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EDITORS' PICK
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