New USJ-R head coach Leode Garcia and some members of his team. contributed
New USJ-R head coach to pit team in a series of exhibition games for more exposure
Thrust into the head coaching position after veteran mentor Titing Manalili heeded the call of the Cebu City Sharks in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, former Cebu Gems big man Leode Garcia is taking the promotion in stride as he tries to steer the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars back to the upper echelons of the Cesafi.
With a little over a month before the 2018 Cesafi season kicks off, Garcia is leaving no stone unturned in his team’s preparations, putting his team through their paces in a number of exhibition games and even a preseason tournament in Passi City, Iloilo where they will be taking on some of the UAAP’s best squads.
“We’re doing all we can to make sure that the team is prepared. That’s why we have lined up several exhibition games and we’re playing in Passi to give the players more exposure,” said the muscular head coach.
In Passi, the Jaguars will be competing in the Mayor Jesry Palmares National Collegiate Invitational Basketball 2018, where they will be facing off against National University, Far Eastern University and the University of the Philippines.
“I really want to see first how the team responds against the UAAP squads before I can really say what this team is made of. After that, we’ll go through our team building. Maybe after that, I can then tell you what people can expect from the Jaguars.”
Garcia explained that the responsibilities given to him are by no means easy but he is more than willing to do it all, as he pays it back to the school that helped him reach his dreams, basketball-wise.
“I feel blessed and I know that this is all part of God’s plan so I am ready to take on this challenge with the grace that He is giving me,” he said.