PBA to Jacobs: Ginebra or SMB

After parrying a tirade from the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines, American coach Ron Jacobs found himself under attack again - this time from the PBA commissioner no less - for sitting on the San Miguel bench Friday night, five days after doing the same for Barangay Ginebra.

PBA commissioner Jun Bernardino called the attention of San Miguel team manager Alberto Villa Abrille at halftime of the San Miguel-Purefoods match Friday on the matter. And Bernardino said he intends to send a letter to San Miguel and Ginebra, advising them that he's barring Jacobs from working on the games of both teams.

"These two teams are very distinct. If he sits on both sides, it's like you have a coach coaching two teams," said Bernardino. "Masamang tingnan."

Jacobs said he'll abide by the San Miguel Corp. management's decision. "If the management tells me to go home and watch the game on TV, I'll do it. If the management tells me to sit on the stands and do my thing there, I'll do it either," he said.

There's no word yet whether Jacobs will sit on the Ginebra bench as the Gin Kings take on the Mobiline Phone Pals at the resumption of action tonight at the Araneta Coliseum.

If he does, it would mean, to the PBA Commissioner's Office, that he chooses to work for Ginebra for the rest of the tournament, leaving coach Jong Uichico alone at San Miguel.

Ginebra coach Allan Caidic said he likes Jacobs to sit beside him, pointing out that he needs the support of the controversial American mentor while he's still learning the ropes of the job.

"Wala naman akong nakikitang masama. Iyun nga lang I must admit na medyo excited siya at hindi niya mapigil mag-react sa mga situations unlike coach Rino Salazar na ibinubulong lang ang suggestions niya," said Caidic of Jacobs.

The Gin Kings and the Phone Pals clash in the 4:15 p.m. opener before the Red Bull Energizers and the Sta. Lucia Realtors collide in the 6:30 p.m. mainer.

The Gin Kings and the Realtors seek follow-ups to their victories in their initial games while the Phone Pals and the Energizers hope to bounce back from losses in their respective debuts in the league's season-opening tournament.