JERMAINE Byrd is not the La Salle head coach.
Not yet, anyway.
The American mentor is currently serving as an active consultant until the school makes an official announcement of his appointment.
That's the clarification coach Gian Nazario said after La Salle's 72-49 victory over University of Santo Tomas on Sunday to open its campaign in the 2019 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup.
Nazario, a longtime deputy for De La Salle Zobel who served as an assistant for coach Joe Silva in University of the East last season, will take the lead role on the bench until the school makes Byrd's appointment official.
"I'm the coach until La Salle makes an announcement," he said.
Byrd has been working with the team since January as the Taft side aims to make a return to the Final Four after missing the bus last year in UAAP Season 81 under coach Louie Gonzalez.
Assisting Nazario and Byrd are assistants Siot Tanquingcen, MC Abolucion, Chappy Callanta, and Lamont Waters.
Danny Seigle is La Salle's head of basketball operations.
Regardless of the team designation, Byrd's impact has been largely felt by the team and the players have welcomed it with open arms.
"Opportunity ito kasi natututo ako kung paano maging mature at mag-adjust kung ano ang kailangan," said Aljun Melecio, who is on his third coach for the green-and-white after Aldin Ayo and Gonzalez.
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