Jojo Lastimosa will take over the helm of Talk N’ Text for the following two conferences, barring any unexpected developments, several insiders told me.

While Chot Reyes focuses all of his time and effort on preparing Gilas Pilipinas for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which the Philippines is co-hosting, Lastimosa will serve as the head coach of the MVP group’s main PBA franchise.

Sources also confirmed that Lastimosa would continue in his role as team manager.

However, a follow-up to that strategy ran into strong opposition within the MVP group, not to mention the concern of possible backlash from fans and the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP), who see such a move as a way to get around a law that forbids foreigners from coaching in the PBA.

According to insiders, the recent crisis at PLDT INC., the parent company of TNT, where “as much as P130 billion in financial abnormalities” have occurred, is another factor in the decision.

There appears to be a freeze on all hiring-related and other contract-related transactions while the investigation and forensic accounting are ongoing.

Although TNT may not have wanted it initially, this result appears to be the best course of action for the troubled Tropang Giga, who despite having a number of All-Stars and maximum players did not advance to the playoffs of the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup, where Ginebra and Bay Area are vying for the title.

One of the greatest players to ever get up in the PBA, although he lacks head coaching experience, he has shown himself as an assistant coach in the PBA since 2006.

The PBA uniform is Jojo. He won the PBA ten times and was named Rookie of the Year in 1988, Finals MVP in 1996, and a 10-time All-Star. He has as impressively represented our nation while playing for the national team.

There must be an opportunity for a more accomplished person like Lastimosa to enter the coaching field in a league where coach Johnedel Cardel led Terrafirma Dyip to a 1-11 record in the most recent conference and he somehow still has a job.

Basketball has been Jolas’ lifelong passion. He is 58 years old. It is high time the game gave him the opportunity to express his enthusiasm and love of the game as a coach.

Talk N’ Text might benefit from a little modification and a softer, friendlier voice on the sidelines, even though it might not be long lasting.

Coach Nenad resurgence

According to numerous sources, renowned Serbian coach Nenad Vucenic is coming back to the Philippines to continue serving as a consultant for the Meralco Bolts in the PBA.

He is expected to arrive on January 2, just in time for Meralco to begin team practice for the third conference on January 3.

The Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP) engaged Vucenic as a consultant and served as one of coach Chot Reyes’ assistants for the second window of the 2023 FIBA Asian Qualifiers following Tab Baldwin’s sudden resignation as Gilas program director in February of last year.

When Gilas played a few playoff games versus Korea in the third window, Vucenic was also hired as the team’s head coach.

There has been no confirmation of Vucenic’s return to the SBP, but sources said that he is also being mentioned as a potential candidate for the LaSalle coaching position.

The Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP) engaged Vucenic as a consultant and served as one of coach Chot Reyes’ assistants for the second window of the 2023 FIBA Asian Qualifiers following Tab Baldwin’s sudden resignation as Gilas program director in February of last year.

When Gilas played a few exhibition games against Korea in the third window, Vucenic was also hired as the team’s head coach.

There has been no confirmation of Vucenic’s return to the SBP, but sources said that he is also being mentioned as a potential candidate for the LaSalle coaching position.