The PBA coaching landscape in 2025 has become a literal pressure cooker. With the Philippine Cup nearing its climax and several franchises struggling to find their identity, the "Hot Seat" is glowing brighter than ever. While some coaches are fighting for playoff positioning, others are fighting for their professional lives.
Here are the top five head coaches currently on the brink of a potential firing.
#5. Coach Willy Wilson (Phoenix Fuel Masters)
The Verdict: A Baptism of Fire that’s Getting Too Hot.
Promoted to head coach with high hopes of injecting "fresh energy" into the Fuel Masters, Willy Wilson’s debut has been anything but smooth. Phoenix currently sits near the bottom of the standings with a dismal 3-8 record.
Wilson was expected to capitalize on the development of young stars like Ken Tuffin, but the team has struggled with consistency and late-game execution. In a league where patience is a luxury, another bad tournament performance could see management looking for a more experienced hand to steer the ship before the next conference begins.
#4. Coach Tim Cone (Barangay Ginebra)
The Verdict: When the "Never Say Die" Spirit Meets Fan Frustration.
It sounds almost blasphemous to put the GOAT on a hot seat, but the Ginebra faithful are notoriously demanding. Despite a respectable 6-4 record, the frustration stems from high-profile "meltdowns," including a heartbreaking Game 7 semifinal loss to San Miguel in July 2025 and recent stumbles against lower-seeded teams.
Fans are starting to vocalize their discontent on social media, questioning if the triangle offense still holds the same magic in the modern, faster-paced PBA. While his job security is higher than most, the pressure from the league's biggest fanbase is a force that even Tim Cone cannot ignore.
#3. Coach Jong Uichico (NLEX Road Warriors)
The Verdict: Solid Performance Shadowed by Persistent Rumors.
Coach Jong has kept NLEX competitive, hovering around a 6-5 record and securing a quarterfinals berth. However, he remains high on this list because the rumors from last season simply haven't gone away.
Even when the Road Warriors play well, there is a lingering sense that the "management is looking in a different direction." In the PBA, when trade and coaching rumors persist for over a year, they usually indicate a "where there’s smoke, there’s fire" situation. For Uichico, anything less than a deep semifinal run might trigger a change.
#2. Coach Jeff Cariaso (Blackwater Bossing)
The Verdict: The "10-Game Slide" Crisis.
Jeff Cariaso was brought in to transform Blackwater from a perennial cellar-dweller into a winning culture. After a promising start, the wheels have completely fallen off. The Bossing are currently reeling from a 10-game losing streak, ending their Philippine Cup campaign at a heartbreaking 1-10.
With the "Blood in the Water" rumors suggesting player unrest and a lack of faith in the current system, Cariaso is under immense pressure. Management invested heavily in stars like Sedrick Barefield and Christian David; if the wins don't follow, the coach is usually the first to go.
#1. Coach John Cardel (Titan Ultra Giant Risers)
The Verdict: The Cabagnot Shadow Looms Large.
Topping our list is John Cardel. The Titan Ultra Giant Risers (formerly Terrafirma) have struggled to find consistency, and the rumor mill is no longer whispering—it's shouting.
Reports have intensified over the last month that the franchise is preparing to hire Alex Cabagnot as the new head coach. Cabagnot, who recently retired and has been sharpening his coaching teeth as an assistant in the collegiate ranks, is seen as the perfect "culture changer." Given the team's mediocre performance, moving on from Cardel to usher in the "Crunchman" era feels like an eventuality rather than a possibility.
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