Johnedel Cardel Makes Coaching Comeback, Set to Lead Pureblends in PBA Season 50

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by Lou Reyes

Former Terrafirma Dyip coach Johnedel Cardel is back coaching in the PBA.
Former Terrafirma Dyip coach Johnedel Cardel is back coaching in the PBA. Photo: PBA Images.

The PBA sidelines will soon look familiar again—Johnedel Cardel is back.

After nearly a year away from the spotlight, the 55-year-old tactician is returning to the bench, this time as the man tasked to guide Pureblends Corp. when it officially takes over the NorthPort Batang Pier franchise.

Sources confirm that Cardel has already been running practices as the team preps for the historic Season 50. And for fans who’ve followed his roller-coaster journey in Philippine basketball, this comeback is another fascinating chapter.

Cardel, of course, last coached Terrafirma, parting ways with the Dyip after their 2023 Governors’ Cup campaign. While his stint there was often hampered by the franchise’s habit of trading away stars—names like Christian Standhardinger, CJ Perez, and Joshua Munzon among many others—the former De La Salle standout never stopped fighting to make his squads competitive. His highlight with the Dyip came in the Season 48 Philippine Cup, steering Juami Tiongson and Lester Prosper Holt to a rare playoff appearance before bowing out against powerhouse San Miguel in a knockout duel.

His coaching ledger may read 32-114, but numbers alone don’t tell the story. Cardel has always been respected for his steady hand, patience with player development, and ability to rally undermanned teams.

Johnedel Cardel.
Johnedel Cardel. Photo: ESPN Philippines.

This time around, he won’t be alone. Raymond Valenzona, a juniors champion coach, will be his lead assistant. Meanwhile, Adrianne Anglim is stepping in as team manager, already moving pieces in player signings for the Pureblends era.

Interestingly, early chatter had many believing Bonnie Tan would stay on as head coach. Instead, the long-time mentor is reportedly being lined up for an executive role in the new organization—owned by businessman and former Tan player Bryann Calantoc, who also happens to share a strong friendship with Cardel.

For diehard fans, this isn’t exactly Cardel’s first Batang Pier connection. He briefly served as interim coach for GlobalPort back in 2016, before eventually landing the Terrafirma gig in 2018. Now, full circle, he’s back with the franchise in a more official capacity, ready to prove he still belongs among the league’s shot-callers.

Season 50 just got a little more intriguing. With Pureblends entering the scene and Cardel back on the bench, PBA fans have every reason to watch how this story unfolds.