Jabby “Jax” Bautista, new role, same goal. | Photo from Bautista’s FB page
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The KCS Computer Specialists-Mandaue City has tapped its assistant coach, Jabby “Jax” Bautista to play in the grand finals of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup to augment the team’s badly depleted lineup.
Bautista, one of the assistant coaches of Mike Reyes of the reigning Visayas leg champions was tapped by team owner Ricky Verdida as the team badly needed more players to be competitive in the championship series.
The departure of key players who needed to return to their respective PBA teams has left the Computer Specialists to make do with whoever they have.
The team already arrived in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, and will wait for the conclusion of the Mindanao Laeg to know who their finals opponents will be.
Bautista, 32, said he is very thankful to be accorded the opportunity to play again in a competitive league after eight years.
“First thankful rako kay Lord kay after eight years maka duwa napod ko in a competitive league. Blessed din kay most of the players are younger than me and most of them mga key players pajud of their respective teams,” Bautista said.
Bautista, a point guard in his natural position on the floor said that he and Phil Mercader are the oldest members of the team. Mercader, the team’s forward is also 32-years old.
“Lingaw pod kay kami duha ni Phil “Kuya” Mercader ang mga oldies but goodies sa team,” added Bautista.
He also revealed that during their training camp in Mandaue City, he usually joined the scrimmages especially if they don’t have enough players, so playing competitive basketball again won’t be that hard.
Bautista played for the University of the Philipines Integrated School in Quezon City in high school and the University of San Carlos (USC) and Southwestern University (SWU) Phinma in college.
Bautista also flourished in coaching. He is well-known in Cebu as the head coach of the vaunted PAREF Springdale Titans. He also coaches teams in the Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA), NABC, and BPO squads.
For Bautista, the best contribution he can give to KCS in their bid to win the overall title is his leadership.
“If given the chance maybe it’s the leadership on the court like communicating with the players more,” he said.
“Players from Mindanao leg are very good. Specially we just lost 3 players who helped us win the chip. We just want to stick to our system and we’ll see unsa outcome and Lord will do the rest.”
Bautista is the second latest addition to the team. Recently, the high-flying ex-USJ-R Jaguar Miguel Gastador was also signed by Verdida.
The team now has 12 players including Shaq Imperial, Dyll Roncal, Bernie Bregondo, Steve Castro, Joseph Nalos, Red Louis Cachuela, Rhaffy Octobre, Monic Soliva, Phil Mercader, and Gileant Delator. /rcg
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