CHICAGO - Fired as Terrafiirma head coach, Johnedel Cardel has entered the ranks of the unemployed, which is sad because one man less in the workforce is one too many.
Given their horrid history of losing, running plays for the Dyip isn't exactly the most glamorous bench job in the PBA.
But it's still just one of only 12 positions in the entire Philippines and it paid well, "around P250,000 a month," I was told.
READ Cardel out as Terrafirma coach after over six years in charge
It would be a crime against language to use the word "excellent" to describe Cardel's six-year tenure. He won only 30 games out of 143 for a below average success rate of 20.9 percent.
In fairness to him, though, Terrafirma has always been beaten more than a pinata.
Since joining the PBA in 2014, the sorry franchise has amassed only 65 wins against 205 defeats, which means every time those dull green jerseys show up on the court, they have a 75.9 percent chance of losing.
SO WHY CUT THE CORD NOW?
I tried calling the former Green Archer, sent him a text message, too. No answer.
"He's in China for a basketball event," a source said. Maybe there's no signal out there or perhaps Johnedel just didn't like the name that appeared on the incoming call.
Either way, the reason management supposedly gave behind the termination was the "woeful 1-9 record in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup."
How convenient.
As shown during the Philippine Cup where the Dyip fell one game short of barging into the semifinals, Cardel had actually proven that he can coach as long as he has the horses.
But once the team traded Stephen Holt and Isaac Go last July 13, Terrafirma stopped winning.
HOW THE HECK IS THIS CARDEL'S FAULT?
And where's the accountability for those geniuses in the front office who decided that acquiring two aging former All-Stars in Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle was actually a good fit for a young team rising and playing well together?
I called team manager Ronald Tubid for comment. No response. I guess I have a better chance of getting an answer if I called Jesus.
But here's what I think. The ownership and management didn't what to take the blame for the disaster that ensued after imploding their line-up.
As they say in Latin, "manus manum lavat."
The one hand washes the other. And Cardel gets dumped in the hamper.
I spoke to three active PBA coaches tonight, none of whom desired to go on record because retribution, like karma, is instant in the league. But they did say in glowing terms that Cardel is "a good guy."
Apparently, he is also Terrafirma's fall guy.
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