PBA: Why Ginebra replaced Jeffrey Cariaso with Ato Agustin as coach

After just two conferences at the helm of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Jeffrey Cariaso is out as coach of the Gin Kings.

 

Ato Agustin is set to replace Cariaso as Ginebra's main tactician, San Miguel Corporation head of basketball operations Robert Non confirmed on Monday.

 

Cariaso introduced the triangle offense to the team when he took charge in the 2014 Governor's Cup, but failed to take the Kings past the quarterfinals in his two conferences at the helm.

 

Agustin is making his return as coach of the team. He previously served as interim coach of the squad for three conferences before Cariaso took over.

 

"We try to find the right combination in the team, whether it's the coaches or the players, or even down to the utility, just to get the right mix," Non said about the coaching change.

 

"Ang nangyari ngayon is a sort of pahiyang, and maybe this time, we have it right," he added.

 

The PBA Vice-Chairman said Cariaso is being considered as an assistant coach for Ginebra, but could be back as Tim Cone's assistant at Purefoods, where he served for three years before asking to take over for the Kings.

 

Agustin, who gave Petron a title in the 2011 Governor's Cup in his first season as a PBA head coach, already ran Ginebra's practice on Monday.

 

"He brought Petron to a championship even with some of the players injured," Non said of Agustin. "Nadala niya 'yun and prevented a triple crown of Talk 'N Text at that time."

 

"We have confidence in him that he can bring success in Ginebra," he added. —JST, GMA News