Jong one of those eyed for Asian Games post

Jong Uichico may have the best record among all the PBA coaches with five titles on a perfect 5-of-5 showing in the finals barely in his third year in the league, but this doesn’t assure him of the job when the PBA names the man who will call the shots for the RP team to the 2002 Asian Games soon.

Acting PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios said they have yet to draw battle plans and the result of the recent All-Filipino Conference is just one of the factors in choosing the coach of the team bound for Pusan, Korean.

Barrios said Uichico may be considered but he stressed they have yet to discuss the matter.

But Barrios would suggest to the PBA board of governors that the league takes a break during the entire period the Nationals are campaigning for the Asiad gold medal.

"We’ve participated in three Asian Games and our gates really suffered during the games. Kung sa akin lang dapat magpahinga na lang kami habang nandoon ang mga stars namin," said Barrios.

"In our experiences in this regard, gate attendance reached a good level on the third year but the problem is the Asian Games is set the following year," he added.

Barrios mentioned the name of Perry Ronquillo as among the top candidates for the coaching job. "Si Perry (Ronquillo) simple pero malalim," said Barrios of the mentor, who has steered Shell to two championships.

Ronquillo also has a PBL championship under his belt, plus the experience of an amateur international competition, having served as assistant to Norman Black in the 1994 Hiroshima Asiad. — Nelson Beltran