Caging brass weighing wisdom of getting Serb to coach RP team
09/26/2008 | 06:11 PM
MANILA, Philippines – Is it wise to tap the services of Serbian basketball coach Rajko Toroman to guide the Philippine national men's team in international events?
Officials of the Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) think so – and they're keeping their fingers crossed that the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP) will agree.
Since it was established in the 80s, the BCAP has lead in opposing the appointment of foreign coaches here – contesting the coaching jobs of Norman Black, Tim Cone, Ron Jacobs, the late John Moran, Bill Bayno, and Paul Woolpert.
BAP-SBP executive director Noli Eala said the possible entry of the 53-year-old Toroman, architect of the Iran basketball team’s success in last year’s FIBA-Asian Men’s Basketball Championship, is in a way, not a hindrance to the state of coaching in the Philippines.
Eala said the move can even develop local coaching, Filipino mentors not having ever tried working with a European coach.
"There’s a rationale behind it," Eala told journalists over dinner on Wednesday. "In addition to that, it has to be made very clear that coach Toroman is not there to take away any opportunities for Filipino coaches. Instead, it is really upgrading the technology for our Filipino coaches."
Right now, Eala is in constant communication with BCAP president Chito Narvasa on the Toroman issue.
"we’re continuing with our discussion and hopefully, we can provide him with the rationale and reasons for seeking the assistance of a foreign coach," Eala said.
Narvasa confirmed that he had already talked with the BAP-SBP about the matter, but he wanted more proof for the association to be convinced of the need to have a foreign coach.
"There are guidelines that should be followed in hiring a foreign coach. But we’re still discussing with the BAP-SBP," Narvasa said.
He was referring to existing guidelines on the hiring of foreign coaches as exemplified in the court ruling that decided in favor of BCAP in the case it field against Moran in 2004.
BAP-SBP and BCAP officials met again on the issue for the second straight day Wednesday.
They expect to reach a decision once the Serbian mentor leaves the country next week. – GMANews.TV
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