ALLAN THE MAN

"It was good to get our first practice under our belt," Cariaso said in an interview with philstar following the team’s first practice on Monday. "It was basic. I introduced the triangle, and talked about my expectations, my visions."

Cariaso has been a student of the triangle offense as a player under Tim Cone in Alaska during the 1990s, and was also an assistant for Cone in the San Mig Super Coffee team before being tabbed as the new Ginebra coach.

“My vision is that we’re gonna be a team that can run, because we have really good athletes,” Cariaso said of Ginebra. “But at the same time, when we don’t have opportunities, we’ll be a disciplined team to run our offense.”

Cariaso told his players that “there’s a lot of work to be done.”

“The focus in each and every day practice will be crucial, kasi the next conference will start soon,” he added.

The 10-time PBA All-Star believes he has a good group of players who can bring Ginebra back to the top of the PBA.

“What I liked about the guys is that they are very accepting, understanding, and it looks like they are willing. Ang importante doon is that they’re willing,” he said.

Cariaso took over Ginebra after the team’s woeful performance in the ongoing Commissioners Cup, where they finished in eighth place.