Jonathan Banal returns to Rizal as head coach

Jonathan Banal will be making his men's basketball head coaching debut with the Crusaders. PBA Media Group (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Jonathan Banal is back with Rizal, but this time as the head coach.

The team announced on Thursday that it got back the services of Banal, who was previously its team manager, in a coaching capacity this time, replacing PBA legend Jayvee Gayoso.

Jonathan Banal, the son of renowned tactician Koy, will be making only his second stint as head coach as he was once the head coach for Navy in the WNBL.

Banal will also take charge for the Crusaders while he continues to juggle his duties with the Mapua Cardinals, his alma mater team, in the NCAA and the Marinerong Pilipino Skippers in the PBA D-League.

"Congratulations and welcome back to our new head coach Jonathan Banal and to the coaching staff," the XentroMall and Golden Coolers-backed club said in a statement.

The Crusaders are rebuilding after crashing to the bottom of the North Division last season with former CESAFI star Eloy Poligrates being the centerpiece of the said roster shakeup.

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