Feisty Ron back on 'hot seat'

Sitting back on a PBA team bench Sunday, American mentor Ron Jacobs immediately found himself on the hot seat again.

Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines president Chito Narvasa promised action against Jacobs if he finds out the Barangay Ginebra team consultant acted beyond bounds of his job in the Gin Kings' first game in the season versus the Red Bull Energizers.

Narvasa said he will review the game tape as he heard reports of bad behavior from Jacobs during the game.

"I heard that at one point, he even chased a referee down the sideline in protesting a call. If I find it to be true then BCAP will chase him out of the country," said Narvasa, pointing out that they just allowed Jacobs' return stint on the bench on Ginebra management's assurance that "he'll sit down as consultant and behave as such."

Narvasa further said that they reached an agreement with the Ginebra management that Jacobs can be consulted during practices and games but he will quietly let the coach do the job.

Narvasa said he heard many reports that Jacobs went against the agreement during the PBA opener Sunday.

"I do everything in my power to get him out if I find out that he's gone against our agreement with Ginebra," said Narvasa.

The BCAP, since the time of founding president Turo Valenzona, has been vocal against Jacobs coaching in the country, stressing there are more than enough local coaches capable of doing the job.

Back in 1998 with BCAP under the leadership of Yeng Guiao, there were reports that the group also had an agreement with the San Miguel management, letting Jacobs to handle the Beermen on condition that he will be pulled out of the RP Centennial team. It was apparently done without Jacobs' knowledge.

Meanwhile, after a successful inaugurals at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday, the PBA stages its first regular twinbill, pitting fancied teams Tanduay Rhum and Mobiline in the featured match at the Philsports Arena today.

The Rhum Masters and the Phone Pals test each other's mettle at 7:30 p.m. after the Sta. Lucia Realtors and the Pop Cola 800s size each other up at 5:15 p.m.

Today's twinbill features the return of Chot Reyes in PBA coaching, the initial game of Marlou Aquino, Vic Pablo, Jojo Lastimosa and Jeffrey Cariaso with their new teams and the debut of former MBA stars Dondon Hontiveros, Rudy Hatfield, Don Camaso, Wynne Arboleda, Rob Wainwright and Chris Tan in the country's premier pro league. -