 |
| Jerson Cabiltes could be in line for Caloocan's head coaching job even after Myk Saguiguit stepped down from the post after the preseason. Peter Baltazar (file photo) |
MANILA—Caloocan, already boasting what could be its most stacked roster ever, is set to shake up its coaching staff as well ahead of the MPBL regular season.
Myk Saguiguit confirmed on Sunday night that he has stepped down as the team's head coach after a short stint in the MPBL Preseason Invitational.
"As I move on to my next chapter, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who gave me the opportunity to be part of this team," Saguiguit said in a statement on Facebook.
"To the players and staff, thank you for the brotherhood and the grind. It was an honor to represent this team with all of you!"
A person privy to the situation told Dugout Philippines that the Batang Kankaloo, far from satisfied with how their MPBL Preseason Invitational run went, are eyeing Jerson Cabiltes as their new head coach.
Should it push through, Cabiltes, who already won a national championship in 2022, will be a huge addition for a side from the outskirts of Novaliches that picked up major fresh-from-college signings in Kean Baclaan, Dom Escobar, and Kymani Ladi, while also adding battle-tested veterans Rob Celiz, Eric Camson, and Jammer Jamito.
One possible hurdle Caloocan is facing, though, is how this will affect Cabiltes' other pro basketball coaching job as the lead assistant coach for Titan Ultra in the PBA.
Another plot twist in the potential coaching shakeup is that, according to the source, Pureblends, the Giant Risers' mother company, is not keen on joining the Batang Kankaloo's backer group even if its headquarters is located in Caloocan.
Under Saguiguit, Caloocan went 6-2 in the elimination round of the MPBL Preseason Invitational, good enough for third place in Group B.
However, the team made a quick exit in the knockout quarterfinals after blowing a 43-36 halftime lead and losing to San Juan.
Despite the result, many MPBL fans still see the Batang Kankaloo as a major threat to the Abra Weavers' title defense ahead of the regular season, which is scheduled for an April 10 start.
