Despite demotion, Siot Tanquingcen ‘grateful’ to Ginebra management, thanks fans for support

Despite demotion, Siot Tanquingcen ‘grateful’ to Ginebra management, thanks fans for support



AKTV/Paolo Papa

Former Barangay Ginebra San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen holds no ill will toward team management despite his demotion.

Tanquingcen was demoted to the lead deputy post for erstwhile coaching consultant Alfrancis Chua, who will take over the lead coaching chores for the Gin Kings in the Commissioner’s Cup.

“I am grateful to God and the management for the opportunity they gave me to lead the team,” wrote Tanquingcen in a message to News5.

“We made positive strides in retooling the team this past season with the players we acquired in the draft and trades, time na lang for them to jell and build cohesion. I wish the team all the best in coming conferences.”

Ginebra executive Robert Non, who serves as chairman of the PBA, earlier confirmed the news of Tanquingcen’s new position within the coaching staff, describing it as “pahiyang.”

It wouldn’t be the first time Tanquingcen would be demoted from his head coaching position at Ginebra. He first took over the Gin Kings in 2004, leading the squad to two titles, but was appointed an assistant coach to pave the way for the entry into the team of Jong Uichico, his longtime mentor, in 2006.

After a stint as head coach of San Miguel Beer, Tanquingcen returned to Ginebra fold in 2010, again serving under Uichico. In 2011, the two men were appointed “co-coaches,” but Uichico later confirmed that Tanquingcen had assumed head coaching duties for the team.

In his second tour of duty as coach of Ginebra, Tanquingcen became a lightning rod of criticism for fans of the team, who were unhappy by the team’s lack of championship success in recent years. Despite this, he still expressed thanks to the team’s throng of supporters.

“I would like to thank the fans of Ginebra for their support,” he said.

Source: Interaksyon.com