Capacio’s coaching future bleak

GLEN CAPACIO’S future with Far Eastern University (FEU) looks uncertain at this point.

An FEU insider told the BusinessMirror that Capacio might not be around when the Tamaraws compete in the University Games in Dumaguete City later this month and in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) this November.

“I doubt he will be able to coach FEU again at least in those tournaments,” said the source, who requested anonymity as FEU board representative Anton Montinola has yet to make an official announcement on the issue.

One reason, the source cited, was Capacio’s health as the former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) point guard was rushed to Medical City on Thursday during Game Two of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball finals against eventual champion Ateneo. Capacio’s blood pressure rose and the team doctor ordered for the coach to be rushed to a hospital as it could lead to stroke.

The FEU coach is now in stable condition but he was advised to take a rest for a couple of weeks.

After FEU’s 62-65 Game Two loss, Montinola spoke to the media and said Capacio’s status will be evaluated before making a decision on who will be the team’s coach next season.

But the same source added that Capacio already had a plan to step down from his post even if he won the UAAP crown. This season was Capacio’s fifth year with the team.

“Even before the UAAP finals started, Glen had expressed to leave the team, win or lose,” said the source.

Assistant Tanny Gonzales was the one who called the shots for the Tamaraws in the second half of Game Two as per the request of Capacio before he was rushed to the hospital.

Aside from Gonzales, the other assistant coach who could replace Capacio in the University Games and the PCCL tournament is former Ateneo hotshot Ritchie Ticzon.

Bert Flores, the coach that gave the Tamaraws their last taste of the UAAP crown in 2005, might also be considered although he’s on the FEU bench as the school’s athletic coordinator and not as Capacio’s deputy.

The Tamaraws looked rock-solid all season and finished the elimination round with a 12-2 win-loss record. Led by Most Valuable Player Ryan Roose Garcia, the Tamaraws edged De La Salle University in the semifinals to reach the title series.

But the squad crumbled right in the opener of the best-of-three title showdown, collapsing in the first quarter and bowing, 49-72. They were quick off the blocks in the second match and took a double-digit lead, only to break down anew under pressure from the experienced Ateneo side.

Joel Orellana, Business World