CHICAGO - The basketball gods work in mysterious ways.
Two weeks after the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) surprisingly removed him as head coach of the Gilas Women’s national team, another door has opened for Pat Aquino.
In the wake of Jeff Cariaso’s resignation as head coach of Blackwater on Friday night, Aquino takes over the position in an interim capacity, multiple sources told me.
READ Pat Aquino's 12-year tenure as Gilas Women coach ends
Aquino has his work cut for him with the perennially success-challenged Bossing who are off to a routine-like 1-4 start in the ongoing Season 50 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
RECLAMATION PROJECT.
But Aquino’s 12-year track record of excellence at the women’s program, which he led to a historic No.30 world ranking, gives ample room for optimism.
Despite Blackwater’s losing record, Aquino has some redeemable pieces to navigate a turnaround.
COLUMN: Jeff Cariaso's time with Blackwater may be running out
The Bossing parades an impressive lineup that includes Sedrick Barefield. Dolph Panopio, Christian David and Abu Tratter.
They also have Robert Upshaw III, an import the size of a bus who could clear the path for a few victories.
THE DIE WAS CAST.
Cariaso, a legendary PBA player, was up for a contract renewal, but a 56-point loss to Rain or Shine, which broke a nearly 46- year record for futility in the league last March 31, put his tenure in doubt.
And the 102-98 loss to newcomer Titan Giant Risers on April 8 may have ultimately sealed his fate.
Although he rose to prominence in the women’s side, the 54-year old Aquino also cut his teeth in the men’s division where he was a player in college at UP before embarking on a coaching career.
His ties with Blackwater run deep, beginning as far back as 1998 when he coached Ever Bilena, the Bossing’s parent company, in the now-defunct WPBL.
Havjng paid his dues, he has finally arrived in the grandest stage of pro basketball in the Philippines.
Patrick Aquino is a living, breathing reminder that good guys don’t always
finish last.
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