Former players remember how Ron Jacobs touched their lives

Jong Uichico, Siot Tangquincen, Pido Jarencio, Olsen Racela and Allan Caidic. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ron Jacobs, a man who revolutionized Philippine basketball, was remembered by friends, colleagues and writers who covered him throughout the years during the 2016 Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards night Saturday at One Esplanade in Pasay.

Jacobs, the American coach became a legend as the lead mentor for Northern Cement, San Miguel and the Philippine national, was one of the night’s nine posthumous awardees.

His wife Mennen was on hand to receive the awards as former players reminisced his contributions to Philippine Basketball.

“I’d like to thank coach Ron for all the lives he’s touched, both players and coaches. I’m very grateful for coach Ron and I’ve been with him for all these years,” TNT coach Jong Uichico said. “I miss him very much. He’s my mentor, my guide. We owe him a lot and we won’t be here if not for him. I’d like to thank coach Ron for guiding us and watching all over us.”

A longtime protege, Uichico took over the coaching reins for the 2002 national team in the Busan Asian Games and the San Miguel squad when Jacobs suffered a stroke.

Jacobs died on Christmas eve last year from complications from the stroke he had 14 years ago. He was 73.

Former Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen, meanwhile, recalled one life-changing advice Jacobs gave him.

“I owe him what my career is,” Tanguincen shared. “One thing he’s very good at is sizing up people. One thing he told me is if I want to stick in the PBA, probably playing is not for me. ‘Mag-coach ka na lang.’ Dito nga ako napunta.”

GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio also remembered instilling discipline to players became Jacobs’ bread and butter.

“When I was playing in the national team, I remember yung practice namin is breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Ganun ka-disiplinado si coach Ron magpa-practice,” he recounted.

For former players and now Ginebra assistant coaches Olsen Racela and Allan Caidic, Jacobs is just more than just a coach.

“He was a second father. He would always ask us kung kumusta na kami. It was never about us the basketball player but us as the person. Parang anak ang turing nya sa amin,” said Racela. “I owe a lot to coach Ron and nagpapasalamat ako because nagkaroon ako ng career because of coach Ron.”

Caidic added, “For me, we’re so blessed to be with him. I consider him that he elevated Philippine basketball to the next level. Naging scientific, yung motion offense, dyan kami nag-umpisa. We surely miss him and malaki ang na-contribute nya sa Philippine basketball.”

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