Joel Banal

Joel Banal (born February 6, 1958) is a retired Filipino professional basketball player, and former head coach in the Philippine Basketball Association. At present, he is the commissioner of the Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League (PCBL).

Profile

Playing career

Banal played college ball for the Mapúa Institute of Technology, before venturing into professional basketball with the Great Taste Coffee Makers in the PBA from 1982–1985 where he got an injury. After his semi-retirement from the PBA, he worked as a circulation director of The Philippine Star

Coaching career

His first coaching stint was for RC Cola team played in the Philippine Basketball League.

He was previously the head coach of the collegiate teams Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA, Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP (won the 2002 UAAP title), the Casino Rubbing Alcohol and Hapee Nenaco in the PBL, and the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals in the PBA, where he won championships in all of the four leagues. He is also the assistant coach of the Pasig Pirates in the Metropolitan Basketball Association.

In 2011, he replaced longtime head coach Tim Cone as coach of the Alaska Aces after serving as Cone's longtime deputy. He stepped down from the position in 2012.

Shortly after his resignation, Banal focused on his family-owned school business, Domuschola International School where he was the president until 2015.

PCBL commissioner

In 2016, Banal returned to basketball after he appointed as the league commissioner of Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League starting this 2016 Chairman's Cup. He will take over the position from Ato Badolato.

Personal life

Banal is the elder brother of current Phoenix Fuel Masters head coach Koy Banal. His younger brother, Conrad served as the business writer for newspapers Philippine Daily Inquirer and The Philippine Star and once a player for the Ateneo men's basketball team.