Jeffrey Cariaso confirms departure from Converge

Jeffrey Cariaso is no longer the head coach of the FiberXers. Dennis Acosta (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Jeffrey Cariaso confirmed on Tuesday night that he is now out as head coach of Converge.

"It is with utmost respect that I accept the decision of the Converge management to relieve me as the head coach of the FiberXers," Cariaso said in a statement over Instagram.

He then bared that it was Team Owner Dennis Anthony Uy himself who notified him of a coaching change.

"I had a meeting yesterday with the owner, Sir Dennis Uy, who personally shared the news," Cariaso further said.

The announcement came amid a report from Spin.PH's Gerry Ramos that Aldin Ayo is taking over the rookie club for the PBA Commissioner's Cup.

Cariaso was one of the holdovers from the old Alaska franchise that was brought into Converge's fold when the internet providing company bought the PBA club before the end of last season.

With Cariaso at the helm, the FiberXers finished 5-7, good for seventh place, in the Philippine Cup, but they were eliminated by the San Miguel Beermen in the quarterfinals.

"Changes like this come with the blessing of being a head coach. With my modest experience, I have learned to be more resilient and open to anything that the game throws my way," Cariaso continued.

Although he clarified that he has no ill feeling about his firing, Cariaso added, "It is always the goal of any leader to bring his men to success. And I wish I had more time to get them there."

Cariaso then hopes that Converge's young core led by Jeron Teng, Maverick Ahanmisi, RK Ilagan, and rookie Justin Arana has been groomed properly by him ahead of the coaching shakeup.

"My only hope is that I somehow put them on a right path," Cariaso concluded.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno