Basketball
Petron confirms Agustin out as head coach, replacement to be announced Saturday
InterAKTV/Markku Seguerra
After weeks of rumors and speculation, Petron Blaze Boosters team manager Hector Calma confirmed that Ato Agustin will no longer be head coach of the squad next season.
“He’s no longer the head coach, but he’s still with Petron,” Calma told InterAKTV in a telephone interview. “We just have to find out tomorrow what would be his designation because we will announce the new head coach.”
Danny Espiritu, the long-time agent of Agustin, confirmed his client is still part of the Petron coaching staff Gee Abanilla, Pido Jarencio, Jorge Gallent, Bobby Parks, Olsen Racela and team consultant Rajko Toroman.
“Busy lang si Ato sa Pampanga. Tatakbo kasi siya ulit,” said Espiritu. Agustin currently serves on the city council of San Fernando.
Calma refused to divulge any candidates for the coaching position, but a source from the company said the choice has been narrowed down to Racela and Toroman.
Agustin led the Boosters to two finals appearances in his debut season coaching the team in 2010-11, piloting them to the Governors’ Cup title. But the talent-laden squad floundered last season, failing to make the finals in any of the three conferences.
