Duremdes elevated as full-time coach, Coke management confirms

MANILA, Philippines – Coca-Cola management has just given its vote of confidence to Kenneth Duremdes. Team manager JB Baylon confirmed on Sunday that the franchise has agreed to give the full-time head-coaching duties to Duremdes. “We have informally agreed to renew his (Duremdes) services with the team," said Baylon. Duremdes' contract as a player expired last December 31. He acted as the Tigers' interim head coach four games into the season-opening KFC Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup where Coca-Cola finished with a 6-9 win-loss record. Danny Espiritu, Duremdes’ manager, had asked for a three-year contract. Coca-Cola opted to give the former league MVP another chance to prove himself in the upcoming Fiesta Conference that begins next month. “We are quite satisfied with his performance and we are hoping he will become the next Boyet Fernandez," Baylon added, referring to the former player who steered Sta. Lucia Realty to last year's Philippine Cup title in only his second conference as head coach of the Realtors. Duremdes took over the coaching job when Coca-Cola won only one game in four matches under Binky Favis in the current Philippine Cup. The Tigers ended the eliminations with a 7-11 (win-loss) record, and were ousted in the wild card when they lost to San Miguel Beer 99-89. – GMANews.TV