Express tap former coach as Guiao's successor

Geraldo "Bong" Ramos will get his second tour of duty as a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) coach after being named as the new mentor of the Air21 Express. Air21 board governor Johann Ramos confirmed the news to GMANews.TV on Wednesday, saying the returning coach has just agreed in principle to handle the team anew. Ramos was the coach of the last FedEx Express squad in the 2004-2005 season before the franchise changed its name to Air21. He was taken in as a replacement for veteran bench tactician Joe Lipa, who handled the squad in the Philippine Cup but decided to step down after the conference.

A former Coach of the Year in the Indonesian Basketball League, Ramos will succeed multi-titled mentor Yeng Guiao, who has moved to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters as their new coach. "I met him today (Wednesday) and we have agreed in principle. He is going to sign the contract tomorrow (Thursday)," said Ramos about the former Brunei Barracudas coach, who just returned home Monday after a stint in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL). Asked about his expectations from the incoming coach, the newly-appointed board governor said that team owner Bert Lina wants to maintain the franchise’s philosophy of having a run-and-gun squad. "Mr. Lina ordered us to bring that old spirit back, for a run-and-gun style of play, as well as continue implementing the 12-man rotation to give other players the confidence they need," said Ramos, who took the post vacated by Lito Alvarez, the company's former president and now head of the Bureau of Customs. Ramos, who also served as an assistant coach for Barangay Ginebra and Talk 'N Text, was chosen among a list of candidates that included Junel Baculi, Leo Austria, Boyet Fernandez and team manager Allan Gregorio. An assistant coach is also expected to join the returning mentor on the Express' bench. Ramos is expected to lead the team’s practice beginning Friday, where he will be introduced as the squad’s official head coach. "Coach Bong wants to bring in one assistant. The only assistant coach we have on the team right now is Sandy Arespacochaga. But we are also looking at adding a veteran mentor who will help our coaching staff and give inputs to our head coach," said the team executive. - JVP, KY, GMANews.TV