Shell confirms Moran appointment

Ending weeks of speculation, Shell team manager Bobby Kanapi yesterday confirmed the signing of John Moran to a six-month, one-conference contract in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and said he is optimistic the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP) will not block the American coach’s application for a work permit.

Moran, 58, arrived from the US yesterday morning. He will attend the PBA rookie camp at the Quezon Memorial Circle on Sunday and preside in Shell’s first practice of the year the next day.

Moran, who flew in late 2002 to live here and share his passion for the game, left for the US a few weeks ago to scout for Shell’s import in the Fiesta Cup starting Feb. 22. He picked 6-7, 225-pound Marek Ondera of the University of California at Irvine, the same Division I school that produced Shell mainstay Tony de la Cruz.

Kanapi likened Moran’s appointment to the hiring of an expatriate. "John will be transferring technology to our Filipino coaches," he said. "It’s not as if he was hired to take over a job from a Filipino permanently. His contract is short-term. We feel the team is ready for a new direction and with Perry (Ronquillo) opting to leave, we think John is the right choice as his successor."

Moran isn’t a stranger to the Shell team–a reason why from the start, he had the inside track to take over from Ronquillo. Last year, he was the personal trainer of several Shell players including de la Cruz, Mike Hrabak and Adonis Sta. Maria.

Kanapi said he discussed Moran’s appointment with BCAP president Chito Narvasa in a meeting at the Podium in Mandaluyong the other day.

"I wanted Chito and the BCAP to appreciate where we were coming from," said Kanapi. "I thought it was important to meet with Chito before John applies for a work permit. We are one in our desire to develop Filipino coaches. I think it was a positive meeting."

Moran is expected to apply for a work permit from the Department of Labor and Employment on Monday.

Narvasa told The Star yesterday he appreciated Kanapi’s gesture of reaching out to the BCAP but declined to comment on the appointment until he consults early next week with the coaching group’s 15-man board made up of Yeng Guiao, Alfrancis Chua, Chot Reyes, Ronquillo, Tanny Gonzales and Roehl Nadurata, among others.

"We’re ready to do battle,"Narvasa said. "But after Bobby explained Shell’s position, I understood the situation. Nobody expected Perry to leave and it was difficult to find a qualified coach immediately. Moran was the best choice because he’s been involved with the team, even indirectly through some of the players. Bobby’s idea is to try him out for six months. Bobby phoned me out of the blue to discuss the issue and it meant that finally, the BCAP is being recognized. We’re both humbled and flattered."

Narvasa said he is looking forward to BCAP working closely with the PBA in conducting coaching clinics all over the country. "Bobby reaching out to the BCAP is a positive development," he continued. "The BCAP could go to court and block Moran’s application for a work permit but what will that accomplish? It’ll just be a legal fight and nobody will gain from it, certainly no one from a coaching standpoint. The BCAP has reached a point where it is now looking at the bigger picture–the long-term development of Filipino coaches. We realize that taking an antagonistic or arrogant position whenever a team wants to hire a foreign coach isn’t a viable strategy."

Narvasa said he plans to explain the change in philosophy to Talk ‘N’ Text management which was challenged by the BCAP in court last year after the Phone Pals hired a succession of American coaches–Bill Bayno and Paul Woolpert.

"It’s time we advance to a higher plane in discussing the development of Filipino coaches," said Narvasa.

The BCAP president said hiring Moran for six months will also determine if he’s fit for the job. "I think Bayno contributed to upgrading the quality of coaching in the PBA but not Woolpert," noted Narvasa. "We don’t need coaches who only know how to scream. We’ll see what Moran can do this season. I hope Shell won’t be disappointed."