CHICAGO -- San Miguel shocked the PBA when it announced a coaching change on Friday, taking the clipboard from Jorge Gallent and handing it back to Leo Austria.
While coaching changes are not unusual, pulling the trigger just three games into the Commissioner's Cup reeks of uncommon panic from a franchise that owns the most titles in the league with 25.
It was a switch that launched a thousand whispers.
What happened here?
While the lame 1-2 start, which was lowlighted by squandering a 19-point third quarter lead to Converge, appeared to be the flashpoint, there were other factors that led to Gallent's "demotion" from head coach to consultant.
LOSING THE CROWN JEWEL IS A MORTAL SIN.
Surrendering the Philippine Cup to MVP Group surrogate Meralco was high on the list, if not a mortal sin. With eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo on the roster, the only expectation is for the Beermen to dominate the no-import conference.
Being dragged to seven games by Converge in the Governors' Cup before flaming out against sibling rival Ginebra did not help Gallent's cause.
But according to a source with intimate knowledge of the situation, Gallent's fate may have been sealed by that verbal spat with veteran guard Chris Ross.
Last October 4, when San Miguel and Converge were in a torrid Game 5 semifinals battle, the two figures clashed on the sidelines. Two days later, Ross was a DNP in Game 6.
Then consultant Austria quickly downplayed the brouhaha and told reporters they've "patched things up."
SURE, BUT FORGIVING IS ONE THING, FORGETTING IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT MATTER.
While Ross comes across as quiet and low-key he is actually one of the most vocal and respected leaders in the locker room.
He is also, along with Fajardo and LA Tenorio, one of only three players in the entire SMC bloc to have direct access to SMC owner Ramon S. Ang, the source said.
To be clear, Ross did not push out Gallent, whose wounds are mostly self-inflicted. But his not-so perky relationship with Ross posed a danger of losing a united locker room.
While he may be a step slower now at 39, Ross is a pillar at SMC whose contributions are invaluable -- 10 championships, five All-Star appearances, two Finals MVP awards and two Defensive Player of the Year honors.
A Filipino with a streak of Texas in his soul, Chris is a sharp basketball mind, a huge reason why he also doubles as San Miguel's assistant coach. His happiness is important to the Beermen's success regardless of who sits as head coach.
I feel bad for Jorge, a good golfer and a great guy, I am told.
But he still gets paid a nice chunk of money to fade in the background and he didn't have to go through the awkward, unfunny circus that Austria endured when the shoe was on the other foot
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