MANILA, Philippines – It has been almost five years since Coach Koy Banal manned the sidelines in a college basketball game, and with his appointment to take over the Arellano Chiefs, the 49-year old coach is as thrilled as a kid going for a ride in a roller coaster.
“I am excited and I am hoping we can turn the [Arellano basketball] program around,” said Banal.
A multi-titled coach in the collegiate ranks, Banal steered the FEU Tamaraws in three straight finals appearances, bagging two UAAP crowns, including in 2004 when La Salle fielded ineligible players in their championship run and the Green Archers were stripped of the title. He also won the NCAA Season 82 championship with San Beda in his one-year tenure in 2006.
And very few people know it, but Banal has deep roots in Arellano.
“I studied, graduated, and played basketball here in Arellano during the 80’s,” he said, remembering the time the Chiefs competed and won in numerous tournaments in the past.
“Talent-wise, we almost have the same set-up with what I had back then. In FEU, we had leaders and scorers, like Denok [Miranda], Arwind [Santos] and Gerald Jones. In San Beda, we had [Sam] Ekwe, Pong Escobal, and Yousif Aljamal,” said Banal. “Today, I can see that we have players who can fit in that role. Ice [Ciriacruz] has returned, and together with Rocky [Acidre] has been providing the leadership for our team. We brought in some new guys in [James] Forrester and [AJ] Serjue. They still are not used to the Philippine brand of basketball, so we are giving them time, but they’ll be fine.”
He also noted the entry of young guns like the 16-year-old Julius Cadavis, the 18-year-old Aldrin Lunas, and National U transferee Larry Malanday, keeping the Arellano alumna buzzing with excitement.
He also noted that the style of basketball he was employing with his team was very much the same with how he handled his past teams, but being an assistant for a number of years in the professional ranks, Banal said that he has been learning a lot from his superiors.
“Coach Tim [Cone] is really a big help. It’s like watching a brand new kind of basketball with him coaching,” he said. “As you can see, we are using the triangle in our [Arellano’s] offense.”
“We are in a rebuilding stage, but we still want to compete, and we think we can match up against them. We are gunning for that [Final Four) spot.”
Banal does not find it difficult to see the difference as an assistant coach in the pro league and as head coach in college.
“I treat my players like my children,” said the father of five. “I consider myself as a strict coach, but what’s more to that is the relationship that you make with your players.”
“This is what I like about college basketball—being in full-control. I can help the players with their problems, whether it be their attitude, academics, personal issues, or their character.”
A 20-year-coaching veteran who started his career as an assistant in Mapua, Banal says that whatever position he has been in, he has done the best that he could perform. “Accountability, that’s what I am about. If it’s just a thing or two that I can do for the team, I will. By that, I am helping the coaches, the players, and the management for the better of the team,” he said.
Still, Banal has not given up his dream on being a head coach in the professional league.
“It’s every coach’s dream,” he said.
But for now, his focus is on Arellano.
The team, he said, has “to work on being at the same page.”
“We still have a long way to go.”