PBA: Pido Jarencio took GlobalPort coaching change 'as a man', says former team manager

GlobalPort replaced Pido Jarencio as the main tactician of the Batang Pier on Thursday, relegating him to a consultancy position and letting assistant coach Eric Gonzales take the reins as interim head coach.

The news spread two days after GlobalPort lost lopsidedly against San Miguel Beer on Tuesday, getting clobbered by 28 points in an off-shooting day for its three-headed monster Alex Cabagnot, Stanley Pringle, and Terrence Romeo.

"We just wanted something different. We feel na we have given si coach Pido a chance," said BJ Manalo, GlobalPort's former team manager and now head of basketball operations. "He's still part of the team, integral part of the team."

"We just feel na ngayon especially must-win itong last two games namin including this one, it was time for coach Eric to hold the board and make the decisions for the team," he added.

Under Gonzales, Batang Pier faced another seasoned team Barangay Ginebra on Sunday, but came out on top 98-77 with Jarencio in the back seat of the coaching staff.

"Of course coach Pido is still coach Pido," Manalo said of Jarencio, who led GlobalPort to four wins and five losses this conference. "We still expect him to contribute. In a different capacity, 'yun lang naman naiba."

Asked on how the coach took the coaching change, he said that Jarencio acted professionally and accepted the orders of the team management.

"He knows itong mga ganitong changes is part of coaching," Manalo said. "He took this as a man."

Gonzales, meanwhile, is still being evaluated by the GlobalPort management. Manalo declined to give details whether the team is looking for an official head coach.

"Siguro we will answer that after the conference," he said. - RAF, GMA News