RON JACOBS, in file photo coaching Northern Cement, has been appointed coach of San Miguel to replace Norman Black.

San Miguel Beer has appointed American Ron Jacobs as coach of the slumping Beermen despite resistance from some quarters who want a Filipino coach to handle the most prosperous franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association. SMB team manager Nazario Avendano revealed yesterday that because of time constraints Jacobs has been asked to handle San Miguel "on a transition basis." Avendano said the team will make the announcement in a couple of days after it has finalized a contract for Jacobs, the American bench tactician who coached the last Philippine team to win the prestigious Asian Basketball Conference in 1984. Avendano said he hopes critics of Jacobs would understand the appointment saying that San Miguel had tried to shop around for a Filipino coach with the same knowledge and background as Jacobs about the game but could not find one.

Jacobs, who had been consultant of San Miguel the past few years and at some point also served as talent manager negotiating the contract for Beermen Allan Caidic and Samboy Lim, had just arrived from the United States where he lives and still has to meet Avendano for official discussion of a coaching job. But it was gathered that Jacobs had already been informed of the SMB decision before he left for the States. He reportedly had been affected by the negative reaction regarding his possible appointment and the trip was to give him time to think things over. As things stand, SMB management is just awaiting final word from Jacobs that he is accepting the job before a formal announcement is made. The Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines had announced that it would not raise any objections regarding Jacobs' appointment although it said a Filipino coach would send a more positive signal to basketball fans.

Jacobs would become the third American to hold a head coaching position in the 8-team professional league after Tim Cone of Alaska and Norman Black, the immediate past coach of San Miguel, who is now with Mobiline. As for Ramon Fernandez, who had been previously mentioned as the incoming San Miguel coach, Avendano said the one-time pillar of past San Miguel championships and a four-time PBA MVP, will be asked to join the staff as an assistant coach. "But we're still trying to see if Ramon can adjust his heavy schedule to attend San Miguel team practices," Avendano said after noting that Fernandez has several business concerns.

Fernandez, who has earlier told San Miguel that he's available for a head coaching position, said he's willing to serve as Jacobs' assistant. "I'm ready to sit at the bench in any capacity," said Fernandez, who retired two years ago after dabbling in politics that saw him ran for a Senate seat. -DING MARCELO

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