GLOBALPORT owner Mikee Romero formally announced on Thursday the appointment of Junel Baculi as the team’s new coach.
Romero, who bankrolled the Philippine basketball team that ruled the Seaba and SEA Games in 2007 when Baculi was head coach, believes the leadership of the former Barako Bull mentor will help the team achieve its modest goal in the coming import-flavored conference.
Baculi steered Barako Bull to the semifinals of the Commissioner's Cup last season.
While Romero expressed his full trust and confidence in Baculi's leadership, he also noted the contributions made by former interim coach Glenn Capacio.
“I’m grateful to Glenn for accepting the challenge as our interim coach and laying the foundation of the team. He’s a very humble and down-to-earth person,” said Romero.
Capacio has been named first assistant coach, according to Globalport basketball operations chief Erick Arejola.
Without injured star player Gary David in the early part of the team’s campaign, the Batang Pier struggled in their debut tournament in the pro league and wound up with a dismal 1-13 record.
Baculi, who has yet to win a title in the PBA but had a very successful career in the now-defunct commercial-amateur PBL, will have his first practice with the team on Friday at the Moro Lorenzo gym in Ateneo.
Meantime, the team is looking for a tall but mobile import in the hope of challenging the league's perennial title contenders.
"We already have three possible candidates but we still have to discuss it with coach Junel," said Arejola.
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