Alfrancis Chua steps down as coach of crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra, Hatfield retires after 14 years in PBA

The Barangay Ginebra Kings were rocked by one stunning announcement after another as head coach Alfrancis Chua reportedly stepped down from his position while forward Rudy Hatfield retired after 14 seasons of playing in the PBA.

The development was first reported by Spin.ph, which said that Chua announced his resignation before his players during Barangay Ginebra’s first practice session for the upcoming Governor’s Cup.

Before that, Hatfield had taken the time to tell the squad that he was retiring from the sport to concentrate on raising his family back in Michigan in the United States. Chua, on the other hand, cited “personal reasons” as his reason for stepping down.

Hatfield has played for 14 seasons in the league, and has suited up for Tanduay, Pop Cola, Coca-Cola before ending up with Ginebra, where he has gained a following for his boundless energy.

Hatfield’s absence leaves Ginebra with some pretty huge shoes to fill even with the acquisition of athletic forward Japeth Aguilar. Ginebra is still in pursuit of San Miguel Beermen’s big man Asi Taulava, a former MVP of the PBA who is playing in the ABL.

Hatfield leaves the league with career averages of nearly 11 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a steal.