CHICAGO -- Like teasing the next episode of the hit TV show Lavender Fields, the Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced today that it has found an heir apparent to former Gilas Youth coach Josh Reyes.
"We haven't signed a contract yet with anyone but I think 'mukhang closed na to,'" SBP Executive Director Erika Dy told SPIN.ph.
It's been 52 days since the position became vacant, and while due diligence takes time, it shouldn't move slower than a car with two flat tires, either.
And what's with all these vague hints and secrecy?
As a privately funded entity, the SBP bears no obligation to divulge its inner dealings, but since it routinely asks for the public's support and the fact that the federation is the gatekeeper of our national hoops teams, transparency is important.
It's called good faith.
DY IS THE PERFECT E.D.
Even after she had abruptly cut our once open communication lines months ago -- orders from the top, I am told -- I will always root for Erika to succeed.
Her slot is an extremely politically-charged position that answers to very powerful people but she will push back if needed, and she will make a stand for anything she believes is right for our federation.
In other words, Dy, a lawyer who hails from a prominent family with a huge political bailiwick, isn't just a "yes sir" lackey,
So, who's on Erika's radar?
Former Rain or Shine coach Chris Gavina is one. Although he didn't officially apply for the job, Gavina told me an "informal meeting with Erika occurred "over a month ago and that he'd "be honored to be in the pool."
Certainly, coach Chris is qualified. He's proven his credentials time and time again, most recently at the Taiwan league.
DARK HORSE CANDIDATE.
Ateneo and Meralco Bolts assistant coach Sandro Soriano has also been reportedly considered. He, too, has potential, having learned from two of the best to ever do it in the Philippines -- Tab Baldwin and Nenad Vucenic.
But Soriano is only in his late 20s, a "flaw" at this stage of his inevitable ascent up the ladder. In all likelihood, he will end up as one of the assistants in the youth staff.
While FEU ferociously denied that coach Sean Chambers was a candidate, selecting him makes a lot of sense.
As shown by the Tamaraws' unexpected charge in Season 87 of the UAAP, Chambers has proven to be a gifted tactician -- well prepared and sublime with his in-game adjustments.
Plus, his connection with Gilas men's coach Tim Cone is impossible to ignore,
In the end, the job is still LA Tenorio's to lose, multiple SBP insiders told me Monday night.
A former Ateneo star and currently a Ginebra legend, LA has the support of both the MVP Group and the SMC bloc.
Tenorio has long expressed the desire to meander toward coaching once his playing days are over.
Now aged 40, his peak years behind him and the sun setting on a fabulous career, maybe the time is ripe to ditch the shorts for sweat pants and go on the recruiting trail.
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