Dondon Hontiveros (CDN FILE PHOTO)
With his storied career now approaching its final chapters, the “Cebuano Hotshot” Dondon Hontiveros said that a career in coaching might not be far off.
Though he recently signed a one-year extension with the Alaska Aces and remains the deadeye at the hoops, Hontiveros admitted he is already looking forward to a coaching career after his playing years are over.
Cebu Daily News was able to talk to the veteran wingman during a game between his alma mater the University of Cebu and the University of San Jose-Recoletos in the Cesafi on Saturday evening.
Hontiveros said that competing for a spot on the Gilas Pilipinas that will go to battle in the Fiba Asia championship later this year will give him the opportunity to soak in as many coaching philosophies as he possibly can.
“I’m honored to be part of the Gilas pool. If I have a shot at making the team, then I’ll give it my best shot. But it also gives me the chance to absorb different coaching philosophies,” said Hontiveros, expressing his excitement at the chance to be mentored by the Gilas’ American head coach Tab Baldwin.
Hontiveros shared that it was his former coach Luigi Trillo who noticed his potential at becoming a coach someday.
“He made me share my experience with Alaska and the D-League team, Cebuana Lhuillier. He said that I’m able to communicate well with other players. May times daw kasi na parang may gusto siyang sabihin sa isang player pero most of the time, nauunahan ko na siya sa pagsabi,” quipped Hontiveros with a light laugh.
Hontiveros admitted he was quite proficient with Xs and Os, a skill he learned from all the years of playing for different brilliant tactical minds. “Si Coach Siot (Tanquincen), magaling talaga sa in-game adjustment. Si Coach Chot (Reyes) and si Coach Alex (Compton), they’re the best motivators.”
If given the chance, Hontiveros said that he wouldn’t hesitate to come back and coach here in the Cesafi.
“It’s a different kind of fulfillment to go down to the kids’ level and start teaching them there. What I would definitely impart to them is that they must have this constant desire to improve. Dapat hindi talaga sila maging kuntento. They must also crave for competition against better players. Diyan mo lang malalaman kung handa ka na ba for the next level or not,” Hontiveros said.