Waylon Galvez
Chris Gavina will be the new face in Rain or Shine’s coaching staff starting next season.
The management, however, was quick to clarify that head coach Caloy Garcia is not on his way out.
Mamerto Mondragon, the former league chairman and the team’s representative to the PBA board, confirmed the deal with Gavina, who had a brief stint as head coach of Columbian Dyip (formerly Kia/Mahindra).
“We signed coach Chris, but it doesn’t mean we’ll replace coach Caloy. We’re not replacing anybody… we’re actually removing anybody from the coaching staff,” said Mondragon yesterday.
If there is a change, it’s on the designation of coaches as Gavina will be the team’s first assistant coach, a position previously held by Mike Buendia, who will stay as part of the coaching staff.
Mondragon said it was no less than Garcia who recommended Gavina, whose contract with the Elasto Painters is for two years, and management expects the two to work together.
“I think it will be a good partnership,” said Mondragon.
Gavina was thankful for the opportunity to work with the organization, saying: “I am extremely honored and grateful for the trust and from Coach Caloy Garcia, (owners) Boss Raymond (Yu) and Boss Terry (Que) and Atty. Mondragon for this opportunity.”
“I’m looking forward to joining the Rain or Shine team for the next season,” added the 39-year-old Gavina.
He entered the PBA in 2012 as part of the coaching staff of GlobalPort (now NorthPort), and then he transferred to Kia/Mahindra as lead assistant to coach Manny Pacquiao.
Gavina assumed the head coaching position last year, but was replaced by coach Ricky Dandan. After his PBA stint, he had a brief stint as coach Valenzuela Classics in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
As lead assistant and head coach, Gavina has a win-loss record of 12-34 in five conferences in the PBA.
