Chris Ross won’t just be playing for San Miguel in the upcoming PBA season.
The 38-year-old floor general will also be taking on a coaching role as he’s named as an assistant to chief bench tactician Jorge Gallent.
“I’m actually a playing assistant coach,” he told reporters during the PBA Media Day, Tuesday at the One Esplanade in Pasay.
“I have the title of assistant coach, but I’m still playing.”
Ross was appointed by SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua, giving him a taste of what could be his life should he hang up his sneakers for good.
“Boss Al called me last week, I was sleeping. I woke up three hours later and I got two missed calls and I was like, ‘What’s going on here?’ So I called boss Al back and he didn’t answer and I sent him a text, told him I was taking a nap.
“He calls me back five minutes later and he was like, ‘Hey, I just want you to know… I know you still have years left in you to play, but I want to appoint you as an assistant coach as well.’ It’s been maybe five days,” he recalled.
The 14-year pro still wants to play until he reaches 40 although he knows, too, that the ‘end is near’ for what has been a decorated career.
“I’m a player first, but I still have to join the coaches’ meetings and all that stuff,” said Ross, a nine-time PBA champion.
“But … I know the end is near, I’m 38 now, I told myself that I like to play ’til I’m 40. Maybe in the next two years, then I’ll jump over to the other side. But right now, I’m a playing assistant coach,” he added.
Ross actually suffered a calf injury during practice just recently and his recovery period could also mean more time for him to become a more active deputy.
Still, as he said, he’s a player first.
“I actually strained my calf at practice yesterday,” said the two-time Finals MVP, who has already taken part in coaches’ meetings.
“Yesterday I was playing, today I went to be a coach, Maybe if I’m out for the rest of this week, I’ll coach then get back to playing next week.”
