Ato Agustin ready for uncertain future, says Petron may have too much talent

InterAKTV/Markku Seguerra

With Petron’s failure to defend its Governors’ Cup crown, Boosters coach Ato Agustin is unfazed about his future with the squad.

“Ready naman tayo dyan,” Agustin told InterAKTV in an exclusive interview. “Even before pumasok ako sa Petron, nakahanda naman ako (for a) coaching change.

“Wala naman akong kontrata.”

Agustin’s comments came amid speculation that team consultant Rajko Toroman may take over his spot. The Serbian coach, however, told InterAKTV that there’s no offer for him to coach the team.

Last year, Agustin led the team to the Governors’ Cup title despite a lineup riddled with injury. This season, with its top players back from injury, Petron played with a star-studded lineup, raising the expectations of fans.

But Agustin said having a stockpile of talent isn’t necessarily better for the squad.

“Sabi nila malakas yung team namin dahil maski sinong ipasok ko, hindi ako mahihirapan. Pero sa totoo lang, mahirap nga yung puro star players ang nasa team. Hindi lahat accepted yung roles nila,” he said.

“Dahil nga panay star players, yung iba kinukulang rin sa playing time, so hindi nila accepted yung role na ganun. Pati na rin sa plays, a lot of times nagkakanya-kanya, particularly sa fourth quarter kaya madalas doon kami nag-co-collapse.”

Agustin said he hopes management will address those matters, even though he may not be around to see it.

“For sure, nakikita naman nila yung mga pagkukulang, so nasa sa kanila na yan kung paano yung changes na kailangang gawin.”

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