VETERAN guard RJ Jazul is contemplating retirement after being among those affected in the ongoing revamp of the Phoenix Fuel franchise.
Jazul, the longest-tenured player in the team right now, has been relegated to the unrestricted free agent list after not been offered a contract renewal as his previous deal with the Fuel Masters expires at the end of the month.
READ Kwekuteye, Jazul, Garcia to be relegated by Phoenix to UFA: source
Although still healthy and in shape, the 39-year-old member of the original Smart Gilas Pilipinas admitted to SPIN.ph that he is seriously considering an option to retire and focus on getting a coaching career off the ground.
“Baka hindi na,” Jazul said about resuming his playing career with other PBA teams or in other leagues as well. “Of course, we’ll see. Healthy at kundisyon naman ako. Pero habang healthy pa kasi ako, I’ll try to do other things to be around basketball pa rin.”
Jazul, who came to Phoenix in 2017 following a one-on-one trade with Simon Enciso from Alaska, was one of six players downgraded to UFA status by the Fuel Masters as soon as new mentor Charles Tiu came on board to replace Willy Wilson.
Along with Jazul also released as free agents were fellow veterans RR Garcia and Yousef Taha, JayJay Alejandro, Sean Manganti, and James Kwekuteye.
Jazul, who was once owned one of the longest streaks of consecutive games at 392 spread over 10 years, bared he was about to be elevated to be part of the Phoenix coaching staff under Wilson in the coming Commissioner’s Cup until sudden personnel changes took effect within the organization.
“Ganun talaga, e,” said the combo guard who won an NCAA championship with Letran in 2005.
A second-round pick of Alaska in the 2010 draft (No. 15 overall), Jazul still averaged 6.4 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.5 rebounds last season. But he was already into coaching while still actively playing in the league.
“Nasa Ateneo midgets basketball team ako and at the same time, sa Genesis basketball club,” he disclosed.
Genesis basketball caters to kids and young players where RJ’s son, Sky Jazul – the star player of Ateneo's juniors team – began playing.
READ RR Garcia, Manganti become free agents as Phoenix shakeup begins
Jazul added he’s also trying to send his resume to other PBA teams to become part of their coaching staff.
“So habang wala pa, focus muna ako sa teaching and training young athletes,” he said.
Any possibility of joining the Phoenix coaching staff even with ex-mentor Wilson no longer around?
“Walang offer,” admitted one of Phoenix’s loyal soldiers.
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