CHICAGO - Change is looming over at the flagship franchise of the MVP Group.
A source with knowledge of the developments told me in a telephone interview that Chot Reyes will reclaim the head coaching job at TNT, a post he temporarily handed over to the team manager Jojo Lastimosa last January.
With both the FIBA World Cup 2023 and Gilas Pilipinas duties behind him now, the well-rested Reyes is scheduled to make his PBA return in the Philippine Cup conference slated this coming March.
Jolas pitching in
Lastimosa has done a marvelous job at TNT, winning the Governor's Cup last April and keeping together a weakened Tropa that is campaigning in the ongoing Commissioner's Cup without Poy Erram, Roger Pogoy and Mikey Williams.
I can only imagine how tough the decision to relegate the highly capable Jolas back to the front office.
But in the end, Chot Reyes and TNT are as inseparable as peanut butter and jelly. One tastes different without the other.
A polarizing figure in Philippine basketball, Reyes on the sidelines is a box office attraction. Off the court, the 59-year old is a motivational speaker, activist and philanthropist.
A nine-time champion coach and six-time Coach of the Year, Reyes is wit and wisdom, vigor and panache wrapped in one endearingly volatile package.
Long story short, Chot is the perfect ambassador of TNT.
MIKEY WILLIAMS UPDATE.
Speaking of TNT, I've been told that the contract which Mikey Williams had hoped to renegotiate with the Tropa is now "officially terminated."
A source in the MVP camp said the team has had no contact with Williams in months but that the Tropang Giga still own his signing rights. With the lingering fraction, both parties are as separated as the church and state.
There is no debate that Williams and his facility to score a lot of points can instantly swing the fortunes of a currently struggling TNT. But there is no desire for a reconciliation on the team's end.
This doesn't mean Mikey won't ever return. It just won't happen anytime soon, not when the bridge that connects the team and the player is still on fire.
Here's hoping it won't burn down completely.
SMC CHANGING IMPORTS AGAIN?
Earlier this week, I heard whispers that San Miguel is reportedly planning on another import change.
The reason?
With June Mar Fajardo out for up to six weeks with a fractured hand, the Beermen reportedly wants a bigger reinforcement than Ivan Iska, who was tapped in as a replacement for Tyler Stone.
After San Miguel lost to import-less NorhtPort yesterday, 115-101, Aska could be in the hot seat.
Changing imports doesn't guarantee success. After NLEX booted Thomas Robinson, the Road Warriors have lost three in a row with newcomer Stokley Chafee Jr.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
