Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio had nothing but good words for former Gilas Pilipinas assistant coach Nenad Vucinic who decided not to renew his contract with the federation after it expired this August.
“I've got nothing to say about Nenad but all praises. He's been a very good coach, a good person,” Panililio told the members of the press during the PBA Finals press conference at the Novotel Manila in Araneta City in Cubao on Friday, Aug. 19.
He also revealed he had a brief talk with the Serbian-Kiwi mentor who had worked with the national team since early this year during the time of former head coach Tab Baldwin
“I just spoke to him yesterday before he left and it's good to hear from him directly but we had a really good conversation,” said Panlilio.
Vucinic took the coaching cudgels from Chot Reyes during the friendly games against Korea and the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
He was also at the bench when the national team was in hot water over a lackluster performance in the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 where Gilas finished ninth, its worst placing in the past decade.
“Obviously, it's always a work in progress. He was part of the process where he was coaching also in the friendlies and the third window. He loves all the Gilas players for sure,” said the SBP chief who added that he’s not closing the doors on a possible cooperation with Vucinic in the future.
“He did say that if there's any opportunity in the future that we can still work together, he's looking forward to that. He just has some commitments now,” he added.
Panlilio though is hardly worried about the effects of Vucinic’s departure, noting that the national team has enough great minds to support Reyes in the future tournaments.
“Well, we have a lot of coaches. Tim Cone is part of it now, Goldwin also is part of it but Goldwin is I think training UP so he won't be able to join us," shared Panlilio.
"We have enough coaches naman that are there. Coach Jong Uichico has been a strong pillar of the coaching commission of the SBP, he's still around. So Chot is getting a lot of help."