The Petron Tri-Activ Spikers are looking to get back on the Philippine Superliga mountain top with a different head coach steering the wheel.
A Petron official who requested anonymity told Tiebreaker Times that the two-time PSL champions parted ways with head coach George Pascua late last week.
Although the source didn’t reveal the specific reason for Pascua’s dismissal, he assures that Pascua and Petron split in good terms.
“Ngayon, George just wants to lie low muna. Wala namang bad blood na naiwan. Everyone was of mutual understanding,” the source said.
Petron are reportedly moving Pascua’s assistant coach and former player Shaq Delos Santos to the head coaching post.
With Pascua at the helm, Petron dominated the 2014 PSL Grand Prix then swept the 2015 PSL All Filipino Cup. He guided the Tri-Activ Spikers back to the 2015 Grand Prix, before bowing out to the Foton Tornadoes.
After the core of his team had been disbanded due to free agency prior to the start of the 2016 season, Pascua could only get Petron, who acquired numerous rookies and direct hires, to the semifinals of the 2016 All-Filipino Cup.
Delos Santos had guided the UST Golden Tigresses to a UAAP championship during Season 72, of which current Petron opposite hitter Aiza Maizo-Pontillas was a part. Delos Santos is currently at the helm of FEU’s quest for a long-awaited UAAP title.