Renowned former NBA physical therapist and strength and conditioning trainer Erwin Valencia (right) and Cebuano strength and conditioning trainer Roger Justine Potot during the Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 World Tour Cebu Masters. | Photo from Potot
CEBU CITY, Philippines — What was supposed to be a simple meetup with renowned former NBA physical therapist and wellness coach Erwin Valencia turned into one of the best experiences for Cebuano strength and conditioning trainer Roger Justine Potot.
Valencia, is a well-known physical therapist, strength and conditioning trainer, sports scientist, and wellness coach. He is the first homegrown Filipino sports scientist who served full-time at the New York Knicks in the NBA for 10 years and 20 years in the United States professional sports.
Until recently he decided to part ways with the NBA and come home to the Philippines.
READ: Fitness tips from Fil-Am ex-Knicks doc
Valencia in Cebu last week
Incidentally, Valencia was in Cebu last week to serve as Miami-USA’s official physical therapist for the Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 World Tour Cebu Masters where he got in touch with Potot, a budding strength and conditioning trainer for ARQ Boxing Stable and the UV Green Lancers.
For Potot, it was an awesome experience he will cherish.
“It was an awesome experience to help Coach Erwin with Team USA Miami. Talking to him about his NBA Journey and what it takes to get to that level was very interesting and eye-opening,” Potot told CDN Digital.
READ: Miami-USA lords Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 World Tour Cebu Masters
Roger Justine Potot (2nd from right) joins Miami-USA and Erwin Valencia (leftmost) during the awarding. | Photo from Potot
Cebuano Potot trained Gilas Pilipinas Ramos
Potot also has his own strength and conditioning training brand NXT LVL Conditioning which trained the likes of Gilas Pilipinas member Dwight Ramos and other elite basketball players, including beauty pageant contestants.
Potot sat beside Valencia and even assisted him in preparing Miami’s players during the two-day FIBA 3×3 Cebu Masters which added more to his experience.
“Seeing him work with Team Miami (USA) was an honor. I learned the importance of organizing and being “laging handa” with your athletic trainer kit…whether (it) be massage roller or theraguns, towels to wipe off sweat or tiger balm to warm the knees of the players, Coach Erwin was ready,” Potot said.
READ: Tallo’s heroics send Manila Chooks to FIBA 3×3 Cebu Masters Q’finals
Roger Justine Potot attending Miami’s Kareem Maddox during the Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 World Tour Cebu Masters. | Photo from Potot
Independent players, responding to assist players
“He taught me the more your players are independent they know what to do with their pregame routine the better, making players more independent is key and if they do need you, especially for treatment or anything then you respond and assist them.”
Miami-USA emerged as champions in the FIBA 3×3 Cebu Masters after beating Vienna-Austria 22-18 in the finals last Sunday.
Behind the scenes, Potot was as busy as Valencia, from massaging the players such as Jimmer Fredette to icing their knees and stretching their bodies to get them prepared for the next game.
While on the field, Valencia gamely shared some of his experiences in the NBA with Potot, including his favorite Knick— Derrick Rose.
That experience comes once in a blue moon for professionals like Potot who aspire to become as good as Valencia.
Potot is excited to apply the knowledge, techniques, and skills he learned from his short but very memorable stint with Valencia to his athletes in various sports in Cebu.