During our early years of sports coverages, we had the privilege of witnessing how coaches handle their players during competitions.
Some are very strict like Attorney Guillermo Iroy Jr. (University of Mindanao Football) and some are very cool like Ronel Leuterio (Ateneo de Davao High School Basketball).
I could not forget how coach Tura Sumalinog would berate bad calls of referees or coach Boy Sarabia pointing out the correct rules to umpires. Oh boy, if only I had those videocams those days, it would be fun to see the footage.
Coaches have different styles indeed in motivating their players specially during crucial moments of the game. Come to think of it, it is a very stressful job.
I had my share of coaching the table tennis team of Holy Cross of Davao College during the time of sports director Abe Verdeprado and Ateneo de Davao High School during the stint of sports director Butch Ramirez. Believe me, it is not an easy job.
When I learned that former Davao Eagles point guard Arvin Derla Bonleon was named coach of the CocoLife-Davao Occidental basketball squad, I got curious. Curious because I know him well as a player and being a coach is an entirely different ball game.
Arvin, who belongs to the famed Bonleon brothers in the Davao basketball circuit, was one of the players I admire because he is just one cool thinking player. He is currently based in Manila with the Tigers as they wait for the 2nd PSL League which is expected to start in the third week of October.
The Tigers have been busy with skill and scrimmages on M-W-F and workouts on T-Th schedules.
“First week, rigid practice, second week, tune up at least with two to three teams and by last week prior to the tournament, we have to review and make adjustments to our plays,” said coach Arvin.
Much of the work, though, has been the mental stuff as he keeps on thinking on ways to improve his team. “Mahirap kasi 24/7 kang mag-iisip even na meron kana mga game plan and program, need mo mag improve every week, kailangan e check ang players kung anong improvement nila,” he said.
But the strongest motivation he would give to his players is for them to think that what they currently do as basketball players is for their family. “Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila na lagi nilang isipin sa pagod natin sa daily practice isipin nila this moment maraming pumipila para humanap ng trabaho at isipin natin para sa pamilya natin itong ginagawa natin”.
Arvin jokingly said that when we were in college, he would sometimes skip classes, but this time, he could not even skip because he takes it to heart to make daily work for the Tigers’ preparations for the upcoming league.
As I said, coaching is not easy because situations can always change during plays and coaches have to always be ready for each situation.
When Arvin showed me his notes, I was really impressed. As in, daghan gyud ug notes!
I jokingly told him, “mura man kag nag kuhag master’s degree na ana ‘vin!”, LoL.
The CocoLife-Davao Occidental Tigers have been making some big marks and we wish them all the best in the coming league.
So, I’m calling all Dabawenyos to show some love and support to coach Arvin and the Cocolife-Davao Occidental Tigers!
Let’s roar Dabawenyos!
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Comments are welcome by sending an email to mpb_sports@yahoo.com.
Daghang salamat!
