PBA chief welcomes BCAP proposal

PBA commissioner Noli Eala welcomed yesterday the local coaches’ proposal to set a standard for foreign nationals allowed to coach in the local pro league but said they have to study it carefully for proper implementation.

He also welcomed the breakthrough in the Shell-BCAP (Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines) row over the appointment of American John Moran as the Turbochargers mentor, saying "that’s in line with our hope to start the Fiesta Cup without extra baggage."

In The STAR exclusive report Thursday, BCAP president Chito Narvasa said they’re withdrawing their case against Moran following an agreement they made with Shell for a development program for coaches in the country.

"We welcome the proposal but we have to study it carefully," said Eala.

BCAP wants to craft an agreement with the PBA on the hiring of foreign coaches in the league.

Among the requirements in the BCAP proposal is that a foreign coach should have been a head coach or assistant coach in the US NCAA for at least 10 years. He must also have a college degree, never committed any ethical violation in any basketball association, must not exceed one fiscal season in the PBA and must be willing to render clinics for the BCAP members.

"Mas maganda na ang may standard para wala ng gulo. At dapat lang din na mayroon nito para masiguro na mas magaling sa local coaches ang foreign coach na ia-allow na mag-coach dito sa atin," said Narvasa.

The BCAP president said they will withdraw their petition against Moran’s application for a working permit with the labor department as soon as they formalize their agreement with the Shell management.

Moran will be the third American allowed to coach in the PBA the last three years after Bill Bayno and Paul Woolpert both of Talk n Text. Moran got a six-month contract with Shell. — Nelson Beltran