Red Bull owner George Chua, in a meeting with league board representative Tony Chua and team manager Andy Jao Friday, said they’re staying in the PBA, quashing speculations the team is disbanding soon.
Chua said they’re rebuilding and reorganizing with members of their champion team gone. This included coach Yeng Guiao, who’s now part of the Burger King organization, which is taking over from Air21 starting this coming Fiesta Conference.
Meanwhile, Coca-Cola is looking to strengthen its coaching staff with the team now close to signing Bo Perasol to assist Kenneth Duremdes. Perasol has been bumped off by Guiao at Burger King.
Tony Chua said assistant coach Gee Abanilla may be elevated to head coach even as two coaches from the amateur ranks have expressed interest to apply for the job.
“We had a meeting, and Boss George maintained we’re staying. The fact is there was never a plan to leave,” said Tony Chua.
“Yes, we’re having financial difficulty at the moment. But who’s not? It’s a global problem,” the Red Bull governor added.
The former PBA board chairman said they would have another meeting this week to plan their course of action.
“The first order is to name the coach. We’re not able to finish our meeting Friday since Boss George was to attend another matter,” said Tony Chua.
Guiao quit his job at Red Bull after practically all his trusted players were traded to other teams.
The team has been reduced from championship contender to spoiler following the departure of former mainstays Willie Miller, Kerby Raymundo, Rico Villanueva, Lordy Tugade, Larry Fonacier, Junthy Valenzuela, Topex Robinson, Rich Alvarez, Mick Pennisi, Celino Cruz and Cyrus Baguio.
With a badly decimated lineup, the Bulls were the first team eliminated in the ongoing PBA tourney, winning only five of 18 games in the double-round elimination play.
Before that, Red Bull had always been a force to reckon with, having a long streak of finishes inside the top four. – Nelson Beltran