The Barako Bull Energy Colas relieved one of its consultants that could trigger a mammoth coaching carousel in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
In a report by Spin.ph, Rajko Toroman, a former head coach of Gilas Pilipinas, confirmed that he has been given the pink slip after being with the team for two conferences.
The Serbian coach, however, refused to give details as to why he was relieved.
Toroman, who also had stints with the Petron Blaze Boosters after his tenure with the Gilas, joined the Energy Colas as an “active consultant” but actually acted as head coach as he was seen calling plays, managing substitutions and presiding over huddles instead of Bong Ramos, who was listed as the team’s head coach.
The report added that Leo Austria and Siot Tanquingcen are being eyed to handle the Energy Colas.
Koy Banal, currently an assistant coach with Petron along with Austria, is also reportedly in the running for the job. Tanquingcen is one of the assistant coaches in Barangay Ginebra.
ROSS TRADED
In another development, pointguard Chris Ross was traded to another team just weeks after he was traded by the Meralco Bolts to the GlobalPort Batang Pier.
In a trade approved yesterday, GlobalPort sent Ross to Petron in exchange for Denok Miranda.
Globalport initially got Ross in a four-player deal that saw Gary David move to the Bolts. Globalport also got pointguard Chris Timberlake and two future second-round draft picks in that deal.
The All-Flipino Cup of the 39th PBA season will open on Nov. 17 with three games played in separate venues in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
PBA GAME IN CEBU
Cebu City will host the showdown between sister teams Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters and the Meralco Bolts at the Cebu Coliseum starting at 3 p.m.
Ticket prizes are pegged at P1,000 (courtside), P900 (stage), P800 (lower box), P400 upper box) and P150 (general admission). Tickets are sold at Cebu Coliseum, Ila Puti and Fairchild Coop in Mepz 1.
Interested parties may call telephone numbers 255-1405, 402-9419 or cell phone numbers 0923-9300850, 0939-7841404 and 0917-5273888 for details.