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| Chico Manabat is joining Converge's coaching staff ahead of the PBA Philippine Cup this April. NCAA (file photo) |
MANILA--Chico Manabat, the current head coach of Arellano, will join Converge's coaching staff for the PBA Philippine Cup, which tips off on April 5.
The FiberXers announced on Monday that they have signed Manabat and Manny Dandan, his deputy with the Chiefs, to join head coach Franco Atienza's staff.
This news came hours after Converge confirmed that Charles Tiu had resigned as the lead assistant coach.
Also leaving the team are coaches Gelo Vito, Nico Francisco, and Paulo Maligalig.
Arellano improved in Manabat's second year as head coach, tallying a 7-11 record last year after a dismal 2-16 showing in 2023.
Although the team fell short of making the Final Four, Arellano made heads turn by beating the Tiu-mentored College of St. Benilde, San Beda, and Lyceum, three teams that eventually made the playoffs.
The Chiefs also shut the door on the Letran Knight's Final Four hopes right in the latter's last elimination round game.
Manabat gets to work again with Converge team governor Archen Cayabyab, who was his teammate at National University during the early 2000s.
Dandan was the Bulldogs' head coach during that time, leading them to their first Final Four appearance.
Meanwhile, the PBA Philippine Cup will likely serve as Atienza's last hurrah as the FiberXers' head coach as a transition period is now underway ahead of Pampanga governor Delta Pineda stepping in to eventually lead the team.
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