Caloy Garcia eager to help, learn as part of Gilas coaching staff

Rain or Shine head coach Caloy Garcia. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Big opportunities don’t come often for most coaches that’s why when Caloy Garcia got another call to be part of the national team, he didn’t think twice.

Garcia, however, admitted the offer caught him by surprise.

“Yes I was surprised because of all the coaches, I was given the opportunity. So I have to grab that,” said Garcia in Filipino in a story on the PBA website.

Garcia has been tapped to join the coaching staff, headed by Gilas Pilipinas program director Tab Baldwin and head coach Jong Uichico, that includes Meralco’s Norman Black, Sandy Arespacochaga, Boyet Fernandez and Alton Lister.

The crew is now inside the bubble at Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna where the team will train for a month ahead of the final window of the Fiba Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers on Feb. 18 to 21 in Clark, Pampanga.

For Garcia, the call-up is another chance for him to expand his knowledge in coaching.

“I’m happy to be part of it because I get to learn a new system under coach Tab,” said Garcia.

“I’m there to help them also and at least give them my thoughts.”

Being part of the national team coaching staff is not a new thing for Garcia, who served as Yeng Guiao’s deputy in the 2018 Asian Games, World Cup qualifiers and World Cup two years ago.