CHRIS Gavina is taking over from Caloy Garcia as new Rain or Shine coach, the team announced on Monday.
Team owner Raymond Yu said Garcia has been appointed head of basketball operations.
"Saan ka nakakita na isang organization na nagpalit ng head coach pero magkakasama pa rin sila? This is to address the new landscape of basketball. Coach Caloy will take care of the macro and see and find ways on how to improve the team while coach Chis will take care of the micro, which means he'll be calling the shots in the game and preparations of the team," said Yu.
According to Yu, management also took into consideration Garcia's involvement with the Gilas Pilipinas as part of its coaching staff in coming up with the decision.
"We considered his long-term involvement with Gilas and we don't want it to be a distraction, so we have to make things workable for all of us," Yu explained.
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Garcia said he welcomes the new challenge.
"We support the management's decision. For me, this is something new and a new challenge, but at least I'm still connected with basketball and with a much bigger role overseeing the day-to-day operations of the team," Garcia said.
Gavina said he accepts the challenge of his new role.
"One good thing about this organization is we're like a family, so when I was appointed head coach of the team where I'm already a part of was easy to accept. We're a playoff contender, but we look forward to winning championships in the future."
For Gavina, he believes the four draft picks they have in the first and second round in the coming PBA Draft would shape up the team's future.
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"Regardless of what's going to happen on the eligibility of some Fil-Ams, we still believe we can get the best talent at No. 5 and we will fill up the roster with three second round picks, so that will give us young talents who can build our future." (RJ)
