After three years with the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national program, Rajko Toroman isn’t ready to say goodbye to basketball-loving Philippines.
The Serbian coach told InterAKTV in a text message that he has come to terms with San Miguel Corporation as a full time consultant for the conglomerate’s basketball program. SMC owns PBA teams B-MEG, Barangay Ginebra, and Petron Blaze as well as the ABL’s San Miguel Beermen.
“I am satisfied with the offer. The contract will be for two years. There are details that we have to discuss as soon as I come back to the Philippines,” wrote Toroman, who guided SMART-Gilas to a fourth-place finish in the FIBA Asia Championship last year in Wuhan, China.
Despite leading the Philippines to its best finish in the biennial meet, Toroman did not receive an offer for a new contract when he met with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas officials led by president Manuel V. Pangilinan two weeks ago. His original contract expired last October.
InterAKTV is part of InterAksyon.com, the online news portal of TV5, which is chaired by Pangilinan.
In a previous interview, Toroman said that he has “never seen any basketball fans as crazy as the Filipinos,” which played a part in his decision to stay in the country. During his stint with SMART-Gilas, Toroman’s family joined him in the Philippines.
Apart from the SMC offer, Toroman also fielded interest from teams in Europe.
“I learned pretty much about Filipino basketball the past three years. So even though I was not given the same job, it’s the same territory,” he added.
“I am happy for the new challenge. I am also happy with the support Filipino basketball fans have given me and it’s good to know a lot of people appreciate your work.”
Source: Reynaldo Belen, interAKTV
Balimbing ata? 
