Top PBA analyst Jason Webb joins San Mig bench

MANILA, Philippines -- Basketball fans have lost one of the country's top basketball analysts as Jason Webb left the TV panel booth to pursue a coaching career.

Webb has done his last TV coverage assignment for Sports5 during the Talk N Text-Barako Bull quarterfinal match last Tuesday night after he was hired by San Mig Coffee  to join Tim Cone's coaching staff.

Still reeling from the loss of former deputies Jeffrey Cariaso and Olsen Racela, who went on to join Brgy. Ginebra, Tim Cone made the key addition as San Mig Coffee is about to start its semifinal rematch against Talk n Text in its bid to score a rare grandslam in the PBA.

"We are extremely pleased to lure Jason Webb out of the commentator's booth and onto the Mixers' bench. We feel with his insights into the game and his work ethic, he will be a valuable contributor to the staff," Cone said in an official statement.

Webb, son of PBA legend Freddie, played for the De La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP before he became the third overall pick in the 1997 rookie draft behind Fil-Ams Andy Seigle and Nic Belasco. He spent six seasons with the Sta. Lucia  Realtors and Tanduay Rhum Masters before hanging his jersey.

He joined the broadcast panel shortly after his retirement earning his spurs from the last three coverors of the PBA in ABC5, Solar Sports and now TV5. He is also serving as councilor of the first district of Paranaque City.