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

Chris Gavina
Personal information
Born (1979-01-27) January 27, 1979 (age 45)[1]
NationalityFilipino
Listed height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Career information
CollegeStevens Institute of Technology
Playing career2016–present
Career history
As coach:
2016–2017Mahindra Enforcer/Kia Picanto (assistant)
2017–2018Kia Picanto
2018Valenzuela Classic
2018–2020Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (assistant)
2019–2021Bacoor Strikers
2021–2022Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
2022Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (assistant)
2022–2023Taichung Suns

Early life and college career

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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

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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

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Season Team Conference Elims./Clas. round Playoffs
GP W L PCT Finish PG W L PCT Results
2017–18 Columbian Philippine Cup 2 0 2 .000 Resigned
2021 Rain or Shine Philippine Cup 11 6 5 .545 6th 2 0 2 .000 Lost in the Quarterfinals
Governors' Cup 11 3 8 .273 10th Did not qualify
Career Total 24 9 15 .375 Playoff Total 2 0 2 .000 0 championship

T1 League

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Season Team Regular Season Post Season
W L PCT Finish W L PCT Result
2022–23 Taichung Suns 8 22 .267 5th 2 3 .400 Won Play-in vs TaiwanBeer HeroBears, 2–1
Lost Semifinals to New Taipei CTBC DEA, 0–3
Totals 8 22 .267 2 3 .400 1 Playoff Appearances

References

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