Moran steps down as Chargers coach

The man simply failed to live up to expectations.

This, according to Shell team manager Bobby Kanapi, was the main reason why John Moran, the controversial American coach, was given the pink slip barely six games gone for the team in the 2004 PBA season.

"He was unable to fulfill expectations from management which was to deliver. And so he (Moran) agreed to step down," Kanapi was quoted as he confirmed reports of Moran’s ouster yesterday afternoon.

"Coach Moran has relinquished his post as head coach effective today," added Vicky Araneta, the assistant team manager.

Shell management made the announcement two days after the Turbo Chargers dropped a painful 116-120 overtime loss to the FedEx Express in the import-spiced PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

It was the fifth setback in six outings for Shell which lost its first two games to Ginebra and Talk N Text, then bounced back with a close out-of-town win over Purefoods before losing three in a row against Red Bull, Alaska and, just recently, FedEx.

Against the Express, Kanapi felt that the Turbo Chargers lost a won ballgame, citing instances where Moran, a replacement for Perry Ronquillo, may have erred in his coaching decisions.

Kanapi said Moran failed to squeeze the best from Ronald Tubid who, after hitting seven of his 18 points midway through the fourth quarter, was recalled to the bench with 4:44 left in regulation.

The former UE Warrior was never fielded back the rest of the way, spending the entire extra period seated on the deep end of the bench alongside the team’s utility men.

Kanapi said the Turbo Chargers were "simply outcoached" in that game and thus a deliberation that eventually led to Moran stepping down.

Kanapi said Moran, who once served as assistant to Bobby Knight’s Indiana Hoosiers in the US NCAA, will leave the country within the week. Another coaching stint is reportedly awaiting Moran in the US.

Kanapi, however, said it’s not all frustration Moran is leaving behind because there are also some positive notes the elderly American mentor had instilled on the team.

With Moran out, assistant coach Jig Mendoza will call the shots for Shell on an interim basis, starting on Wednesday when the Turbo Chargers face the Coca-Cola Tigers (3-2) at the Araneta Coliseum.

Mendoza, a former UP Maroon, is not new to the Shell system, being the only holdover from Ronquillo’s coaching staff.

Kanapi said Shell is preparing a short list for the possible replacement but hinted that Ronquillo is out of the picture.

Despite losing to Ginebra, 81-90, during the season opener Feb. 22, Shell grabbed much of the attention after Moran benched Rich Alvarez, the former Ateneo Blue Eagle and this year’s No. 1 draft pick.

Moran said Alvarez had yet to fit into his system then, being with the team only for two weeks after closing out his stint in the PBL. Shell management even defended Moran’s actions.