Coach Chard finally got one, and he was so happy.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Richard del Rosario is quite the character.
And, on Wednesday, in Ginebra’s 106-93 PBA On Tour loss to the Meralco Bolts, the man affectionately called “Coach Chard” showed once more why he is among the league’s more entertaining figures.
With 5:26 remaining in the second quarter and Ginebra trailing, 46-32, gunner Von Pessumal seemingly barreled onto Meralco big man Kyle Pascual and was called for an offensive foul. But it appeared the latter had not established position, as he looked to be sliding his feet just as the former had gone airborne for a lay-in.
It didn’t take long for del Rosario to call a coach’s challenge, which is one of the new rules the PBA is implementing on a trial basis in this offseason.
There was just one thing. Coach Chard hadn’t had a successful challenge in the PBA On Tour.
But, as fate would have it, the referees determined upon replay that Pascual was indeed still moving on the play in question, prompting the officials to reverse the call and charge the foul on Meralco’s slot man instead.
All the while, as the referees reviewed the play, del Rosario was calmly seated on the Ginebra bench waiting for the verdict. And as the venue barker announced the stunning reversal, del Rosario leapt out of his seat, pumped both fists in celebration, and gave one more emphatic fist pump. He then clapped gleefully several times, held up one finger, and appeared to say, “Nakaisa rin!”
Watch Coach Chard’s wholesome reaction here:
Just like that, del Rosario got his first successful coach’s challenge, and his reaction was pure joy to say the least. He also got Pessumal two freebies and saved him one foul.
Not bad for a first-timer.