Chris Gavina Explained

Chris Gavina
Nationality:Filipino
Birth Date:27 January 1979[1]
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
College:Stevens Institute of Technology
Career Start:2016
Cyears1:2016–2017
Cteam1:Mahindra Enforcer/Kia Picanto (assistant)
Cyears2:2017–2018
Cteam2:Kia Picanto
Cyears3:2018
Cteam3:Valenzuela Classic
Cyears4:2018–2020
Cteam4:Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (assistant)
Cyears5:2019–2021
Cteam5:Bacoor Strikers
Cyears6:2021–2022
Cteam6:Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
Cyears7:2022
Cteam7:Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (assistant)
Cyears8:2022–2023
Cteam8:Taichung Suns

Christian Gavina (born January 27, 1979) is a Filipino professional basketball coach.

Early life and college career

Gavina was born in the Philippines and migrated to Jersey City, New Jersey when he was three years old.[2] He played college basketball for the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. He finished second in all-time scoring for the school and have his jersey number retired after his graduation in 2001.[3]

After graduation, he worked as a formulation chemist for L'Oreal from 2004 to 2008 and then moved back to the Philippines to pursue a career in basketball. He first played for the Quezon Red Oilers and the Mandaue-Cebu Landmasters of the defunct Liga Pilipinas.

Coaching career

After his contract expired with Mandaue, he returned to the United States and earned a strength and conditioning coach certification at the Institute of Sports and Science. He returned to Manila and got a job for ABL's AirAsia Philippine Patriots' as their strength and conditioning coach in 2011. When the Patriots were disbanded in 2012, he then moved to GlobalPort Batang Pier of the PBA.

In 2016, Gavina was named as the first assistant coach of Manny Pacquiao for the Mahindra Floodbuster, replacing Chito Victolero. Although Pacquiao is named as the head coach of the Floodbuster, Gavina ran the day-to-day practices and acted as the head coach in Pacquiao's absence.[4]

After Pacquiao's contract as player-coach in Mahindra (later renamed as Kia Picanto in 2017) expired after the 2016–17 season, Gavina was named as the head coach of the Picanto.[5]

On 2018, Gavina returned to PBA after being tapped as an assistant coach of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.[6]

On October 25, 2022, Gavina signed with the Taichung Suns of the T1 League for head coach.[7] On June 29, 2023, Gavina left the Taichung Suns.[8]

Coaching record

PBA

SeasonTeamConferenceElims./Clas. roundPlayoffs
GPWLPCTFinishPGWLPCTResults
2017–18ColumbianPhilippine Cup202.000Resigned
2021Rain or ShinePhilippine Cup1165.5456th202.000Lost in the Quarterfinals
Governors' Cup1138.27310thDid not qualify
Career Total24915.375Playoff Total202.0000 championship

T1 League

Notes and References

  1. Web site: CHRISTIAN GAVINA - Eurobasket Player Profile. Eurobasket. November 4, 2017.
  2. Web site: Q&A with Manny Pacquiao's new deputy coach Chris Gavina. Fox Sports Philippines.
  3. Web site: Lintag. Paul. From the Lab: Chris Gavina's unconventional way to the PBA. ABS-CBN Sports. April 13, 2017.
  4. Web site: Chris Gavina named Mahindra coach to replace Victolero as trades remain on hold. Spin.ph. April 29, 2016.
  5. News: Leongson. Randolph. Kia signs up little known but 'hungry' players as part of 'unconventional mentality. Philippine Daily Inquirer. November 4, 2017.
  6. Web site: Marquez. CJ. Chris Gavina makes PBA comeback as part of Rain or Shine coaching staff. CNN Philippines. November 16, 2018. August 23, 2020. July 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230701080712/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/sports/2018/11/16/Chris-Gavina-Rain-or-Shine-assistant-coach-PBA.html. dead.
  7. News: 台中太陽找菲律賓教練執教 洋將補進得分王仕東. October 25, 2022. Liberty Times Net. October 25, 2022.
  8. News: 台中太陽將再尋主帥!菲籍總教練克里斯離隊 . June 29, 2023 . ETtoday . June 29, 2023.