The two-headed coaching job
With Chot Reyes stepping aside to allow the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas a free hand to choose the next national coach, this hoops-loving country is abuzz with suggestions on who should be the next man at the helm.
Names like Tim Cone, Norman Black, Yeng Guiao and even American Tab Baldwin have been tossed around on social media and in coffee shops and bars around town. Even jeepney and tricycle drivers waiting for their cues in familiar short routes have pitched in their own opinions. Street basketball courts are also not without the vocal opinion leaders who have something to say on the matter.
It’s a subject that’s hot or trending, just like the latest corruption issue or the most intriguing show business blind item. That’s because, just like football coaches, topics in countries where that game is immensely popular, the Philippine basketball coach issue is an intense one. Riding with this talk are the tons of suggestions on how to finally return the country to the Asian throne.
The subject perhaps is a lot more riveting since there seems to be an urge to get back right away at our Asian tormentors. We had already reminded Asia that we were back in business in last year’s Fiba Asia and back as a player in the world championships. But we dropped the ball again by finishing so miserably in the recent Incheon Asian Games.
Kailangan makabawi (We have to redeem ourselves). The English translation is not as fiery or as passionate as the Filipino because makabawi means so much more than just getting back.
But let’s tread slowly and judiciously here. Our successes and shortcomings of late under Reyes’ term were all eye-openers. With the support of the PBA, the proper logistical support and the cooperation of the players, we can compete again world basketball. We now have to revisit those key points as we formulate the new version of Gilas.
The coaching selection will be the key decision because the coach will set the direction for the team. It will be critical because the new mentor will have to sacrifice coaching his PBA home team for the bigger challenge of preparing the road map for the national squad. There’s scouting to be done, foreign trips to prepare, tuneup tournaments and even “friendlies” to be played against more formidable opponents. It’s a job that just can’t be relegated to assistants and team managers.
Should the coach be a Filipino again? Not necessarily. It’s about who is the right man for the difficult job ahead. We’ve had Ron Jacobs and Rajko Toroman in the past and with the proper logistical backing they achieved for the national squad. If Cone, Black or Guiao or any other coach should get the invite to be national mentor, then they must have the blessings as well of their mother PBA teams.
Being national coach is a full-time, double-edged job. With it comes the thrill of coaching very good players for a cause larger than all of them combined. Success will earn them the gratitude of a thankful basketball nation.
But it also comes with the backlash when expectations are not achieved or when a team is not motivated and guided properly to give honor to the country.
