MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel Beermen point guard Chris Ross has been named as a playing assistant coach of the team, ahead of the upcoming PBA season.
Ross, who is among the focal points in the offense for the Beermen, told reporters on Tuesday that he has been given the title of assistant coach just last week.
The guard said he was contacted by San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua, who appointed the former as the team’s deputy mentor.
“[Chua] was like, ‘Hey, I just want you to know… I know you still have years left in you to play, but I want to appoint you as an assistant coach as well.’ It’s been maybe five days, I’ve been five days on the job,” he revealed to reporters.
“But, I told [Beermen team manager] Gee [Abanilla] that I was not official yet until I get all the coaching shirts that they wear. Once I get that, I will be official,” he added.
Despite this, Ross reiterated that he will still play for the Beermen.
He, however, bared that he has been to one coaches’ meeting.
“I’ll coach then get back to playing next week. I’m a player first, but I still have to join the coaches’ meetings and all that stuff. But playing first, but whenever I decide to retire, I know the end is near, I’m 38 now, I told myself that I like to play til I’m 40,” he said.
“Maybe in the next two years, then I’ll jump over to the other side. But right now, I’m a playing assistant coach,” he added.
“Some guys on my team know, they’re all joking, calling me coach. Some of my former teammates know, I’m putting it out to the media now. That’s my title.”
Ross, meanwhile, said that he sustained a strained calf during practice on Monday.
But he said he is good to go for San Miguel’s opening game against the NLEX Road Warriors on November 15.