Jaworski ready for coaching comeback
Inquirer
Last updated 02:07am (Mla time) 02/13/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- Robert Jaworski, who rode his basketball popularity to a seat in the Philippine Senate, will soon return to the scene of his countless exploits in the past as head coach of one of the most exciting teams in the Philippine Basketball Association.
Pasig Rep. Robert “Dodot” Jaworski Jr., the former senator’s son and namesake, said on Monday that his father, popularly known as the “Living Legend” of Philippine basketball, is being courted by at least two teams -- Air21 and Talk ‘N Text -- for a celebrated comeback in the pro league.
Dodot added in the interview with Pasig reporters that his father has already expressed willingness to return as coach and is now deciding on which team to handle.
“There were offers and he’s still thinking which team to coach,” said the young Jaworski, who briefly played under his father for the Ginebra franchise in the late 90s.
He said his father would start calling the shots for either Air21 or Talk ‘N Text in the import-laced second conference.
“There’s always a special place in my father’s heart for basketball,” said Jaworski Jr. “Let’s wait for his decision.”
After his retirement in 1999, Jaworski ran for senator and won. Sources said Jaworski is also being considered to serve as executive director of the BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the new unified body of the sport in the country.
As playing coach in the pro league, Jaworski captured four championships, the last of which was the 1997 Commissioner’s Cup for Gordon’s Gin. He also mentored the all-PBA national team to a silver-medal finish in the 1990 Asian Games.
Winner of the MVP award in 1978 while playing for the Toyota team, Jaworski won his first championship as a playing coach in the 1986 Open Conference, when his Ginebra squad defeated Manila Beer in the Finals.
Jaworski was also the architect of one of the greatest comebacks in PBA Finals history after Ginebra rose from a 1-3 deficit to turn back Shell Velocity in Game 7 of the 1991 First Conference finals.
In 24 seasons in the PBA, the 60-year-old Jaworski, a six-time Mythical team member, played a total of 958 games, with career averages of 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists and a steal per game. With a report from June Navarro