Thoughts on The Jet's Firing

The Jet in action
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

After weeks of speculation, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel has finally decided to part ways with Jeffrey Cariaso who was tasked to introduce a new, "winning" culture just April of this year.

The move comes as somewhat of a surprise, considering the fact that almost everyone bought into the idea that the "Triangle Offense" made popular locally by Cariaso's mentor, and Purefoods head coach Tim Cone, takes time to truly show results. Apparently, two conferences and a mediocre 12 wins in 23 games total was all the Ginebra Management could afford to spare for the considerably young head coach.

So what prompted Ginebra Management to pull the plug on the Triangle-preaching Cariaso and return to old hand Ato Agustin?

We could only theorize, but while Cariaso was able to introduce a certain "winning" culture from nicely pressed long sleeves and sharp neckties to on-court discipline, there were a lot of Kabarangays who felt alienated with it all. That somehow, the old #LahingGinebra that they've been cheering so hard for, from Jaworksi, Salazar, Caidic, Uichico, Tangquincen, Chua and Agustin... that the run and gun, helter-skelter style that the team has been known for has been "lost to the devil."

Sure, had the team won more games or gotten deeper into the Playoffs of the PBA Governor's and Philippine Cup, we would probably not be talking about this now but there is no denying that Ginebra looked more like a young, pre-championship (read: growing pains of the Triangle) 90s Alaska team than a Ginebra team.

That's why people have gone out to say that Rain or Shine and Alaska (!) look, play and feel more Ginebra than Ginebra-- even the Kabarangays!

Still, with Cariaso at the helm there seemed to be an order to things-- the rotation was no longer shaky, guys were being assigned legitimate roles and minutes were "awarded" rather than "entitled" to certain players.

Guys were no longer getting in each other's way, people finally figured out that Chris Ellis, though an absolute athletic beast, still needs some seasoning here and there and that James Forrester will probably enjoy a breakout season (with Ginebra or elsewhere) before Japeth Aguilar finally discovers and unleashes his true "potential."

That being said, Cariaso and his new system also put certain players "on a leash" so to speak-- L.A. Tenorio being the biggest one out there. See, the Triangle is not designed for pass-first point guards to excel. Hell, it doesn't even need a legitimate superstar point guard-- just a guy who can dribble the ball, not turn it over and make shots on offense (Ron Harper comes to mind for the NBA's Chicago and Los Angeles Phil Jackson - Triangle Offense teams). Because the ball moves from wherever the Triangle is set up, the point guard can't get his customary assists because the ball doesn't stay with him long enough to make plays. Johnny Abarrientos is different, since he plays more like a shooting guard (while Jojo Lastimosa was the point guard who would help swing the basketball).

Greg Slaughter is also another name (and at 7"0, is probably the biggest reason why Ginebra Management let go of Cariaso) that was unable to shine in Cariaso's offense. He was sent to the bench. He has the IQ for the Triangle and is an excellent anchor for it, but for some reason couldn't stay on the court long enough be it by his own doing/fault or Cariaso's. While his rival, PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo continues to lord it over the PBA, Slaughter's development was slowed down a bit.

You could also argue that Aguilar was another victim of the Triangle--  but then again, if a guy who was never really known for offense, Marc Pingris, can excel in it, there's no excuse for Aguilar now is there?

With Agustin, Ginebra has an option of running the Triangle-- or going back to their Run and Gun style (we are betting on the latter). Don't get it wrong, we sincerely feel that Cariaso can coach in the PBA-- but it wouldn't hurt for him to have a few more years under his belt-- say a UAAP or NCAA title? Or maybe a lead assistant job (heard he is on his way back to Purefoods with Coach Tim Cone).

From a personal standpoint, being dismissed from work a few days before Christmas sucks on so many levels. That's borderline CM Punk receiving his dismissal notice on his wedding day territory. Did Cariaso sleep with the boss' daughter or something to be treated this way? SMH.

Do you agree with Ginebra Management's decision to fire Cariaso? Why or why not?