Tanquingcen on way out?

Tanquingcen on way out?

Published on Tuesday, 29 May 2012 00:00

Written by NOLI CORTEZ

DUE to some very questionable decisions of late, Siot Tanquingcen’s job as head coach of Ginebra may have taken a very serious hit.

An informed source told Malaya Business Insight yesterday that San Miguel Corp. basketball operations chief Robert Non is set to recommend a coaching change in the Kings camp, with current assistant coaches Juno Sauler and Alfrancis Chua as main candidates.

“Within the week Mr. Non will submit his recommendation to Mr. (SMC chief Ramon) Ang,” the insider related.

Tanquingcen and Non could not be reached for comment yesterday but the source persisted, adding: “Talagang disgusted si Mr. Non.”

Tanquingcen raised an uproar when he kept star rookie Dylan Ababou on the game against B-Meg last Sunday that many said led to the Kings’ 88-96 loss.

“Di ko rin alam,” was the source’s simple reply to queries about Ababou, who tied James Yap for a new All-Star record off 44 points two weeks ago in Laoag City and scored nine in a 103-85 win over Air21 last Wednesday.

According to a television courtside reporter, Ababou was neither sick nor injured but KG Canaleta and John Wilson were still picked by Tanquingcen to play over the newcomer, purportedly for defensive purposes.

Canaleta notched seven points and Wilson went scoreless while the players they were chiefly assigned to guard, PJ Simon and Yap, combined for 39.

The decision became the main topic of trending and various posts on different social networking sites after the game watched by more than 13,000 predominantly pro-Ginebra fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Even Non’s assistant, Noli Eala, was left wondering. “For those who are asking, Dylan was not injured or sick tonight. And yes, I’m asking the same question as all of you are,” Eala wrote on his Twitter account.

According to the same source, Tanquingcen already raised eyebrows even before the game officially started when he opted for a lineup markedly different from the ones he drilled during practices before the match.

“Kahit si (starting point guard) Mike Cortez nagulat dahil all along akala niya he will be coming off the bench,” related the source.

Tanquingcen also reportedly reiterated before the game the calls to be made during the game will all be his. “Ako lahat ang mag-de-desisyon ngayon,” the three-time champion coach allegedly stated.

The source agreed. “At the end of the day it is his neck that is on the line.”


Source: Malaya.com.ph