Jorge Gallent grateful for being chosen as PBA All-Star Game coach

Just a month after leading the league’s winningest ballclub to victory in the Season 48 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, in his very first Finals appearance as head coach, Jorge Gallent finds himself thrust into the spotlight once again. This time, as the head coach for Team Mark in the upcoming PBA All-Star Game scheduled for this Sunday, March 24, at the University of St. La Salle gymnasium in Bacolod City.

“After winning the championship, I’m coaching the All Star game (so I’m) very happy about it. I would like to thank the fans for bringing me here. We will try to win the game and try to be competitive on Sunday,” said Gallent during last Thursday’s press conference at the City of Smiles.

For someone accustomed to the role of assistant coach in the PBA, coaching an All-Star Game presents a new challenge for the 55-year-old SMB bench tactician. Gallent admits that coaching in this annual mid-season showcase has arrived sooner than expected.

“Kinda imagined (coaching in the PBA All Stars) but not right away. I was expecting it a year, two years more but it came early. So super, very happy,” he added.

Leading Team Mark, a team selected by Barroca, Gallent is impressed by their energy and activity on the court. It’s worth noting that Gallent and Barroca were on opposite sides during the Commissioner’s Cup Finals, with San Miguel ultimately triumphing after a hard-fought six-game series.

“I’m very happy that I was chosen by the fans to coach the team of Mark [Barroca]. So we will see. I’m sure they’re going to play hard and we’re going to try to win 100 percent,” said Gallent.

Team Mark features a talented roster headlined by seven-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, along with CJ Perez, Calvin Abueva, Cliff Hodge, Jio Jalalon, Robert Bolick, Jason Perkins, Ian Sangalang, James Yap, Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood, Ricci Rivero, Juami Tiongson and Nards Pinto.

Gallent is ready to lead this star-studded squad in what promises to be an exciting All-Star Game matchup.

Back to top button