Gee Abanilla, who was replaced as coach of Petron and later appointed manager of the same team, will

have another position under his belt. Abanilla has been named the team s representative to the PBA board of governors to replace the well-loved Ely Capacio who died last week from stomach aneurysm aft er a round of golf at Manila Southwoods. It has been a week of surprises for Abanilla who first lost his coaching job but landing two coveted positions in exchange. San Miguel Corporation (SMC) chief for basketball operations Robert Non announce d the new appointment yesterday in consultation with SMC chief operating officer Ramon Ang. Gee will take over as alternate governor, said Non. But in replacing Capacio, it was not made certain whether he will also inherit t he position of the deceased official who, as vice chairman of the board, was nex t in line to become board chairman later this year. Abanilla coached Petron for two conferences, helping the Boosters reach the fina ls in his first try last season in the Governors Cup and the semifinals of the on going Philippine Cup. While the appointment of the 46-year-old Abanilla doesn t need the approval of the board as any team can replace their respective representative, the decision to install him as vice chairman or as next chairman will depend on the voting or co nsensus of the board. The board is scheduled to meet next month but Non said this matter has not yet b een posted in the agenda. Precedent, however, does not favor Abanilla. In 2012, JB Baylon stepped down as representative of Coca-Cola, but his replacem ent Ronnie Asuncion, did not inherit Baylon s position as vice-chairman. Prior to that, Lito Alvarez left in the middle of his chairmanship and the team s replacement to the board also did not inherit Alvarez s position. Rene Pardo, then the vice-chairman, took over as chairman and was extended the f ollowing season when it was his official turn to serve. Meanwhile, the Boosters has tabbed NBA veteran Josh Boone as import for the Comm issioner s Cup after the team finally made a decision. The 6-foot-9 Boone, who pla yed four seasons with the New Jersey Nets, is fresh from his stint with the Iowa Energy in the D-Keague.