The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas expressed its gratitude to former Gilas Pilipinas assistant coach Nenad Vucinic who decided not to renew his contract with the federation when it expired this August.
SBP Executive Director and Spokesperson Sonny Barrios confirmed the departure of Vucinic in a text message to Manila Bulletin while also clarifying that the Serbian-Kiwi mentor did not resign from his post and actually opted not to extend his contract to pursue other opportunities outside the Philippines.
“Nenad's contract expired and decided not to renew and pursue other opportunities,” said Barrios. “We are grateful for his contributions in helping Gilas compete at the international level.”
Vucinic came aboard Gilas during the time of former Gilas mentor Tab Baldwin at Gilas and stayed even when the latter relinquished his post last February. The veteran coach in the international competition stayed with the team as the top deputy to the appointed head coach and program director Chot Reyes.
Vucinic even went on to handle the national team during the 2022 KB Kookmin Bank Invitational in Korea and the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
He was also hired as a consultant with Meralco in May – a stint that officially ended when the Bolts fell to the hands of the San Miguel Beermen, 100-89, in Game 7 of their race-to-four semifinals series.
Left as deputies to Reyes in the national team for the fourth window are Ginebra head coach Tim Cone and long-time deputies Jong Uichico and Josh Reyes.