FORMER Barangay Ginebra player Rob Labagala takes over the San Sebastian program starting Season 101 of the NCAA.
The Golden Stags announced Labagala's appointment as new shot-caller early Friday, as the 40-year-old point guard out of University of the East assumes the reins from Arvin Bonleon.
Labagala takes control of a program whose last playoff appearance was before the pandemic in 2019 when Egay Macaraya and RK Ilagan were still in gold-and-red.
Last year, in Bonleon's first and only season at the helm, San Sebastian limped home with a second-worst 6-12 record.
With Labagala's entry now comes a new backer in Red Dynasty Restaurant owned by Jackson Chua Jr. and Eds Chua.
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The partnership will run for the next three years, as Labagala works behind a battery of deputies led by Bonleon, Melo Navarro, and Jay Cruz.
Mac Tan serves as consultant, while team manager is veteran Bernard Yang.
Main man and senior guard Paeng Are will return to lead the reinvigorated Golden Stags, whose program will be in sync with its high school team handled by Chelito Caro and Cruz.
Coach Rob's playing career
A native of Talisay, Cebu, Labagala was a second round pick (12th overall) by the Gin Kings in the 2010 Draft and played for three seasons with the franchise.
He also suited up for Barako Bull and TNT, where he was part of the team that won the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup.
Labagala is currently part of the coaching staff of the Basilan Viva Portmasters, also handled by Chua, in the MPBL. In the last collegiate season, he assisted Jeff Napa in National U.
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