MANILA, Philippines - Sinabi ni San Miguel Beer coaching consultant Todd Purves na gagawin niya ang lahat para mailagay ang Beermen sa magandang posisyon para magkampeon at nangakong gagamitin ang kanyang teaching skills at NBA experience para sa darating na PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Magiging aktibo ang 41-anyos na si Purves sa pa-mamahala sa San Miguel Beer kasama sina dating head coach Gee Abanilla, ngayon ay team manager, at mentor Biboy Ravanes.
“I’m so blessed to work with the team that Gee built to become a championship contender,†wika ni Purves na ang ama ay isang Canadian at ang ina ay isang Mexican.
“Not too many of us realize what Gee did to this team. He took an average team that was 8-8 in the last Commissioner’s Cup and brought it to the finals of the next conference with a 15-7 record then in the last Philippine Cup, we were 13-8 and made it to the semifinals. It wasn’t a failed experiment, we succeeded. I just hope the fans appreciate the steps we’re taking to get to the next level.â€
Tinanggihan ni Purves ang isang head coaching offer sa NBA D-League at dalawang malaking kontrata para makasama sa PBA.
Hindi rin niya tinanggap ang isang front office position para sa isang NBA team.
Nagtrabaho si Purves ng limang taon bilang video coordinator at advance scout para sa Sacramento Kings at naimbitahan ni Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Jason Levien. Nang magkaroon ng coaching vacancy sa Indonesia Warriors sa ABL, hiningan si Levien ng kandidato.
Kinausap ni Levien si Purves para humanap ng coach.
“I told myself why not give it a try?†wika ni Purves.