I was pleasantly surprised when Coach Yeng Guiao decided to leave Rain or Shine and move on to NLEX. There was nothing left for him to do in that franchise. Championships have been won, a solid team has been developed, and some of the players are also leaving, seeking greener pastures.
Coach Yeng converted RoS from a so so expansion team to a title contender in all PBA Conferences.
Let’s all watch the rise of NLEX to rival the eminent perch of her sister teams, Talk N’ Text and Meralco.
Ginebra had been floundering for years. Management did not call in the cavalry but a white knight instead, in the person of Tim Cone.
Coach Tim was mission accomplished with San Mig Coffee. It was not a painful transfer because both teams belong to the San Miguel Group.
Ginebra is the only team who brings the crowd to Araneta or the MOA, and there is an emperor to be slain.
In just a few conferences, the Gin Kings are back to the top and is resuscitating the basketball life of Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand.
The rich colegiogalos of Sacred Heart Ateneo de Cebu- were the favorite whipping boys by the Colon bred players in the Cesafi.
In fact, there were seasons that the school begged off from participating in the Cesafi, and instead chose to compete in the Inter Catholic League where the competition was tamer.
Not anymore.
The Magis Eagles has been champions or championship contenders in the Secondary League for several seasons running, and has practically seeded the teams in Metro Manila with compleat basketball talents.
(The Magis Eagles scored a four-peat in the secondary competition of the CESAFI by sweeping the UC Baby Webmasters in their best-of-three Finals Series last Sunday. –– Ed.)
This did not happen by accident.
The success I guess started with the engagement of Coach Rommel Rasmo. I have observed Coach Rasmo work once, but right there and then, I silently told myself that this guy knows what he is doing.
There are so many other coaches worth mentioning.
On top of my list is Coach Elmer Cabahug who won 8 or 9 straight Cesafi Championships, a feat which may be more difficult to break than Roger Federer’s Grand Slam Championships.
Coach Yayoy Alcoseba whose teams are always conceded winners in any league that he joins.
Coach Jun Noel whose presence on the bench is already a concern for the opposing team, even without looking at the players in his team’s roster.
Coach Bobby Inoferio who made the SWU Cobras a power team.
My friend Bidoy Aldeguer who was a successful basketball coach, before he decided to devote his time to boxing.
And of course before them, Mayor Eddie Gullas and Coach Dodong Aquino who fueled the UV Lancers – USC Warriors rivalry in the late 50’s.
Let us not forget Coach Manuel Baring who sired the likes of Abet Guidaben and Yves Dignadice, among others.
I better stop reminiscing the great coaches of Cebu for the list may exceed the length of this column, although it’s an exhilarating experience of having almost 60 years of sports as an aspect of my life, coming back before me.
What is all the point of this discourse?
The team’s coach almost always determines the success of a team. Of course all the other elements must be present.
The ability, discipline and basketball intelligence of the players, the support of the organization must go into the mix.
Good coaching is always enough at the start. But as the seasons roll by, the coach who knows the necessary ingredients to win, eventually is able to shape a winning team. It usually takes at least two years to be able to do this. If it does not happen, then its time to look for someone else.
The cliché is still that when a team wins, the players are good. The moment it loses, it is the fault of the coach. All those who have tried coaching as a profession or a hobby, know that this is not true.
Any team will sink or swim, depending on the competence of the coach.