Meet USC and Ateneo de Cebu’s hardworking physiotherapy team
What was the common ground between this year’s high school and college Cesafi champions, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and the University of San Carlos (USC)?
Apart from boasting of top-notch coaching and highly skilled players, the two teams had an ace up their sleeve, a secret weapon so to speak in Dr. Rhoel Dejano and the rest of this physiotherapy team.
Behind every stride that ends up with a fastbreak bucket, behind every high leap that results in a thunderous slam dunk, there’s Dejano and his team, diligently working behind the scenes, all-year round, in the hopes of fine-tuning the athletes for optimum performance come the Cesafi wars.
And though he might not be willing to take much credit for it, Dejano and his team is as deserving of a medal as any with both the Magis Eagles and the Warriors claiming the titles this season.
USC head coach Britt Reroma swears by the work that the esteemed rehabilitation specialist does with his players.
“It is very important. I am a believer of preparation like conditioning. It lessens our job because we know our players are well-conditioned already. So what Doc (Dejano) does with us is very important,” said Reroma, who steered the Warriors to their first title in 57 years earlier in the week.
For Dejano, the achievements of both Ateneo de Cebu and USC is one that is near and dear to his heart.
“I have always dreamt of this day which I thought would never come. But the discipline and hard work these players put into their daily practices has brought them this success. As their physician and conditioning coach, no amount of money can replace the joy of seeing your athletes receive the coveted trophy and gold medals. I will forever cherish this moment for the rest of my life,” said
Dejano, arguably Cebu’s finest sports medicine practitioner who has had extensive training in sports conditioning at the IMG Academy in Florida.
The role that Dejano and his team were vital to Ateneo de Cebu and USC’s success as they took care of the players’ welfare all year long. That, and acting as guidance counselor, brother, friend and parent at times.
“It is not only that we train them to run faster or jump higher but it is actually a holistic approach to the total care of an athlete. I make sure that they are in the best of health at all times especially during the season. We even listen to their personal problems and assist them if we can,” said Dejano with a laugh.
But in spite of the undeniable results, most of the Cesafi teams are still hesitant of adapting to today’s scientific approach to conditioning.
To date, only Ateneo de Cebu, USC and Southwestern University (SWU) employ conditioning teams. Dejano believes that perhaps some coaches are hesitant for fear of getting eased out of their positions. The affable doctor seeks to debunk that belief.
“There is no duplication with what we do and what the skills coach does. I leave the basketball to the coaches and we always respect their authority. In reality, we make the job of the basketball coaches easier. He now just has to focus on basketball skills and tactics,” added Dejano.
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