Basketball
Without offer from SBP, Toroman looking at coaching options in Europe
InterAKTV/Markku Seguerra
With the renewal of his contract with the Philippine national team still up in the air, former SMART-Gilas Pilipinas coach Rajko Toroman is looking at coaching jobs closer to his home country of Serbia.
“I have several options I am thinking about,” Toroman wrote in a text message to InterAKTV. “Some are connected with the beginning of the new season in Europe. There were options to start now, but some changes were necessary within the team.”
After leading SMART-gilas to a fourth place finish in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championships last August, Toroman went home for a vacation and was originally scheduled to fly back to the Philippines last November to discuss his contract status. But his meeting with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manuel V. Pangilinan was postponed for January next year.
Apart from Toroman, also being considered as national coach are Chot Reyes, Ryan Gregorio, and Norman Black.
Last September, the coach said that the Philippines was his top priority when it comes to his next coaching job. The lack of a clear signal from SBP’s top brass, however, means that Toroman has to look elsewhere.
“I can’t say that the Philippines is my No. 1 option,” said Toroman. “I simply have no offer from the Philippines.”
Still, Toroman won’t be making a decision until hearing from Pangilinan.
“I made a promise to MVP that we will have a talk. First, I have to hear what is his offer and then I will make a decision.”
InterAKTV is part of InterAksyon.com, the online news portal of TV, which is chaired by Pangilinan.
