Rain or Shine taps Gavina

Rain or Shine named assistant coach Chris Gavina as head coach with more than month before the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup fires off on 9 April.

Team owner Raymund Yu announced the promotion, saying that they promoted Gavina to “address the new landscape of basketball.”

He said Caloy Garcia will still remain with the organization, but will have a bigger role as active consultant and head of basketball operations.

“Coach Caloy will take care of the macro and see and find ways to improve the team while coach Chris will take care of the micro, which means that the will call the shots during games and the preparation of the team.”

The move wasn’t the only major changes in Rain or Shine this coming season. Last January, the Elasto Painters shipped its rising stars in Sidney Onwubere and Clint Doliguez to NorthPort in exchange for big man Bradwyn Guinto.

The following month, they decided to release to free agency two playmakers in Kris Rosales and seasoned guard Ryan Araña.

Coach Caloy will take care of the macro and see and find ways to improve the team.

Yu said they are doing this in anticipation for what looms to be a very competitive season.

After all, Garcia, who has been with the franchise since 2008, has a longterm commitment to Gilas Pilipinas as one of the assistant coaches.

“We considered his long-term involvement with Gilas and we don’t want it to be a distraction, so we have to make things workable for all of us,” Yu said. Gavina said he embraces his new role.

The 42-year-old mentor has been an assistant coach for Rain or Shine since 2018 after calling the shots for KIA Picanto and Valenzuela Classic in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

“One good thing about this organization is we’re like a family, so when I was appointed head coach of the team where I’m already a part of, (it) was easy to accept,” Gavina said.

Gavina will inherit a powerhouse roster that is being bannered by veterans James Yap, Gabe Norwood, Beau Belga and Jewel Ponferada.

He will also have young guns like Adrian Wong, Rey Nambatac, Vince Tolentino and Javee Mocon to provide firepower to the team that finished the 2020 Philippine Cup with a 6-5 win-loss card.

“We’re a playoff contender, but we look forward to winning championships in the future,” Gavina said.