BLACKWATER interim coach Aris Dimaunahan gets another test in his young PBA coaching career as he takes on his former team Barangay Ginebra.
Dimaunahan was the third-round selection of Barangay Ginebra in the 2002 draft where he played for four seasons with the team. Now, he will look to guide the Elite to their second win at their expense on Friday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Game time is at 7 p.m.
The young coach, however, admitted it won’t be easy facing his old team despite coming off a 94-91 overtime victory over Meralco on opening day.
Another thing that will make the Ginebra match difficult is that he will once again face another Grand Slam coach in Tim Cone, who won the rare feat twice with Alaska and San Mig Coffee.
“Big test for a rookie coach,” Dimaunahan said. “After coach Norman (Black), it’s coach Tim (Cone). I’ll be more motivated. We will see what happens.”
With the pressure of the first game now done, the 41-year-old Dimaunahan hopes he can lead Blackwater to another win this time against Ginebra in its conference debut.
“Sa totoo lang, sobrang kinakabahan ako. Siyempre this is the big league and I want to thank the management for giving me the opportunity to coach this team,” said Dimaunahan said.
Ray Parks will also be facing Ginebra for the first time and he has expressed his excitement over playing in front of the Kings crowd.
“The fans, to be honest, I know I’ll be on the other side but I love the fans. Regardless if they hate me or they love me, I love the fans because they are passionate about the game,” said Parks.
In the first game, Columbian and Meralco battle as they look to win their first game after suffering defeats in the opener.
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