Finally, a breakthrough for Koy Banal. As one of the most successful collegiate coaches during his time, Banal got the break that he’d been waiting for after he was named head coach of the Barako Bull Energy in lieu of Siot Tanquingcen.
He’s been running the practices for the past couple of days, but he told Tiebreaker Times that he won’t change the system implemented by Tanquingcen. “First of all, I have my highest respect for Coach Siot,” said Banal in an exclusive interview. “Changing the system now with only three days of preparation isn’t ideal for any team so what we’re trying to do is to continue what Coach Siot had started.”
Banal led the FEU Tamaraws to a championship in 2003 then won another with San Beda a few years later.
In the PBA, he was a long-time assistant coach, but played a key role particularly on defense when he assisted Ryan Gregorio at Purefoods and later on Tim Cone, with the same team where he won multiple championships.
As head coach of Barako Bull, Banal will finally get his opportunity. His Barako Bull coaching debut will be on Wednesday against Norman Black and the Meralco Bolts at 4:15 p.m.
