After Eastern got the boot in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals, coach Mensur Bajramovic wants another shot at the league where his friend, Nenad Vucinic, is also an active consultant.
Mensur Bajramovic was an imposing presence inside the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Sunday, May 25.
But the Bosnian mentor wasn’t there as a coach but as friend to Meralco consultant Nenad Vucinic.
Eastern’s head tactician later said he was in Manila upon the invitation of Vucinic, whose team stopped streaking NLEX in its tracks, 108-92, in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
“Just supporting [Nenad], nothing else,” said Bajramovic with a smile. “I came just for a week. We don’t have official games in Hong Kong yet. He invited me. I came to see [him].”
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His Hong Kong-based squad fared in this season’s Commissioner’s Cup.
Though not as formidable as another guest team in Bay Area Dragons, Eastern showed it could make a deep playoff run. But playing simultaneously in the EASL and the PBA proved taxing.
Eastern wound up as the seventh seed then bowed out against eventual champion TNT.
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Now Bajramovic yearns for another stint in the PBA next season.
“I hope. It’s decision we have to make — the club I mean. I hope we will,” he said.
“We enjoyed last season we’re here. Now it reminds me. I hope we will have a chance again.”
Vucinic shares the same sentiment.
“Well I hope he’s gonna coach the Hong Kong team in the PBA,” the Serbian mentor said.