Relieving San Miguel Beer coach Siot Tanquingcen of the primary responsibility of calling the shots in Game 5 of the PBA Fiesta Conference finals proved to be a smart decision after all.
Tanquingcen?s assistant Gee Abanilla steered the Beermen to a gut-wrenching 96-94 win over Alaska at the Big Dome last Sunday to stay alive in the best-of-seven series. It wasn?t the first time that Tanquingcen took a back seat to one of his assistants ? Ato Agustin did the same thing to the former UST guard earlier.
Robert Non, who represents Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Board of Governors, said the switching is like on-the-job training in an office. ?Anybody in the staff can be called out to take over as head coach,? he said. ?Everyone is prepared for that eventuality. We work as a unit.?
A loss to Alaska would?ve ended the series and formalized the Aces? 13th overall championship. Perhaps, the thought of it put too much stress on Tanquingcen who?s clearly feeling the pressure of bailing out the beleaguered Beermen. In Game 4, for instance, Tanquingcen proved no match for coach Tim Cone in their battle of wits and the defeat threw San Miguel into a deep 1-3 hole.
While Abanilla?s ascension wasn?t expected, it wasn?t a surprise. Abanilla stepped up to the plate with less pressure on his shoulders than if Tanquingcen presided. That?s the wonder of the San Miguel system. The pieces in the unit are interchangeable.
What Abanilla brought back to the San Miguel team was trust in each other. Five locals scored in double figures to back up Gabe Freeman and major minutes were given to Denok Miranda and Mick Pennisi who curiously, both sat out Game 1. Miranda, in fact, was named Best Player of the Game.
Abanilla will again pilot the Beermen in Game 6 tomorrow. If San Miguel forces a Game 7, it will be Abanilla back in the hot seat.
Next season, the rumor is Agustin will take over as San Miguel head coach. Abanilla may move to the former Purefoods franchise to replace Ryan Gregorio. Jorge Gallent is another candidate to succeed Gregorio who will bring Ronnie Magsanoc along to Meralco. Where the game of musical chairs will leave Tanquingcen is a question mark. He could end up as one of Joseph Uichico?s assistants at Ginebra in the end ? and that?s really not a bad thing.
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Here?s a follow-up to last Friday?s column about taking things for granted.
A few days ago, I was in Dr. Bong Guloy?s office at the Asian Hospital for a check-up with the latest X-rays on my fractured forearm, which has been subjected to two surgeries in the last five weeks.
I can?t almost begin to describe the feeling of a patient when you see your doctor smiling after reviewing your X-rays. All I can say was it felt good. My wife Menchu, who has never left my side in the 33 years we?ve been married, saw it in my eyes ? I owe a large part of my recovery to her. The X-rays showed the bones were in place and the healing was in progress. I wasn?t just relieved. I knew I would try never to take things for granted again. I said a prayer of thanks to the Lord.
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Former IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. said recently interim WBO bantamweight champion Eric Morel, WBO superbantamweight titleholder Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. and WBO featherweight king Juan Manuel Lopez ? all Puerto Ricans ? are possible opponents in the future.
?I fought (Hernan) Marquez in San Juan,? said Donaire. ?Rachel and I stayed four more days in Puerto Rico after the fight and we loved it. All I want is a title. Vazquez will surely be willing to fight me because I?ll have to go up to 122 pounds to challenge him. Lopez is another option even if he?s in the 126-pound division. I stood beside him in a press conference and I was surprised I was taller than him. I?m ready to fight anyone my manager (Cameron Dunkin) puts in front of me.?
The Donaires were in Boracay recently to celebrate their second wedding anniversary. They were married in a private civil ceremony in Carmel, California, two years ago but plan a Catholic wedding in Alabang next year.
Since flying a month ago, Donaire has been busy attending to commitments as a GMA Network talent. He has appeared in an episode of the sit-com TV series ?Show Me The Manny? and in several talk and game shows. Donaire was feted in a motorcade by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and paid a 45-minute call on President Aquino at Malaca?ang.
?It was an honor to be with President Aquino,? said Donaire. ?He?s very passionate and committed to do the best he can for our country and people. What struck me about him is his sincerity. He didn?t just stay with us for a few minutes. We were with him for close to an hour and he talked about important issues, like the 66 provinces that are vulnerable to flooding and his plans for education.?
Donaire was accompanied by Rachel and in-laws Gerry and Becky Marcial to Malaca?ang. He presented the Chief Executive his boxing shorts with Aquino emblazoned on the back waistband. Donaire is an honorary or adopted son of the Aquino family.
Donaire said he?s praying for a chance to fight in the undercard of Manny Pacquiao?s next bout on Nov. 13 wherever it is and his dream is to challenge WBC bantamweight king Fernando Montiel sooner than later.
