Will hear from Jawo this week

By Zean Macamay
People's Journal

Anytime this week, the Air21 Express will finally know whether the charismatic Robert Jaworski, Sr. is interested in the coaching job they have offered him.

The ‘Living Legend’ and player who won practically every major individual award in the PBA, is returning to the country this week from the U.S., a long-awaited arrival that could finally seal a tedious seven-month negotiation.

Bo Perasol, coach of the Express and the figure to be most affected should Jaworski agree to coach the team, said the former player-coach of the popular Ginebra ball club has informed Air21 management of his return and his intention to resume talks.

“This week,” said Perasol when asked over the development of the negotiations that started in February this year or before the start of the PBA Fiesta Cup.

“Naiinip na din ako,” added Perasol. “Nabibinbin kasi ’yung mga preparations namin. Hindi natin malaman kung si Jawo na ba talaga o ako pa rin.”

Jaworski, who won the MVP in 1978 and became the first player-coach to win a title in the PBA in 1986 with popular and dominant players Michael Hackett and Billy Ray Bates as his imports, flew to the U.S. last month for a business trip.

But he had to prolong his stay after the 60-year old former Senator underwent surgery after suffering a shoulder injury. Perasol, however, said that Jaworski did not discuss the details of his injury.

Jaworski’s return to the PBA has been a long-awaited event. If he decides to return, he is expected to add greater following and interest to a league recently rocked by a controversy involving its ex-commissioner Noli Eala.

More than that, Air21 is luring Jaworski to widen the Express’ fan base.
Jaworski and the Express began talks last February with the Bert Lina franchise offering the coaching and head of basketball operations positions of the ball club.

A person within the team and with a first-hand knowledge of the negotiations, however, said that the reason why the deal is taking so long to close is all about compensation. The source said that Jaworski wants a broader grip of the financial aspect of the team, a demand Lina does not seem inclined to give.

Also, Jaworski is one of the candidates being considered to be the next commissioner of the league.

Air21 is considered as one that could create a surprise in the PBA Philippine Cup, the season-opening conference that kicks off Oct. 24. But delaying the true identity of its coach could shake the balance of the ball club.

The moment Jaworski accepts the offer, Perasol will be relegated as one of the assistants.