"Tim Cone was only allowed to coach because he married or was married to a Filipina, in which case, he becomes, by affinity, also a Filipino," said Guiao. Guiao said the same circumstances also enabled Norman Black, an American, to hold a coaching position at San Miguel. Black is married to a Filipino. "But Ron Jacob's case is different," Guiao said. "He is an American, he lives abroad and he is not married to a Filipino." San Miguel had announced that it was hiring Jacobs to replace Black as coach of the Beermen. However, formal announcement had been held in abeyance because details of the contract were still being ironed out.

San Miguel team manager Nazario Avendano said the other day that Jacobs is being hired "on a transition basis." Although he did not elaborate, it was interpreted that Jacobs would handle the team until a suitable replacement is found. Avendano said the sudden departure of Black, who coached San Miguel for nearly 10 years, had left them little time to look for a Filipino coach. But Guiao said it is almost impossible to believe that with so many Filipino coaches, none would fit San Miguel's require- ments. "I don't think there are no qualified Filipinos for the job," said Guiao, newly-appointed commissioner of the semi-professional Philippine Basketball League and himself a former PBA coach with two championships to his credit.

Guiao said he had been bombarded by calls from BCAP members to ask why the association had not issued a statement on the Jacobs appointment. Guiao responded that since the actual appointment has not been announced, the BCAP is still holding back its position on the matter. But Guiao explained that the BCAP need not make a statement because he said, "the Supreme Court ruling on this issue still stands." The BCAP will hold an emergency meeting on Saturday to discuss the matter. Guiao said the BCAP will not go to court to stop Jacob's appointment. "His appointment is San Miguel's prerogative," he said. "But I can not stop any individual member from going to court and seek a restraining order."