PHILIPPINE national basketball team Gilas Pilipinas coach Yeng Guiao hopes to invite coaches from the Baguio – Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) to be part of their team’s coaching staff.
Guiao, during his visit to the city, said an opportunity can be opened to local coaches for the men’s national basketball team under their apprenticeship program.
“The national team is having an apprenticeship program for coaches. There are windows in the FIBA qualifiers wherein we can accommodate one or two local coaches from all over the Philippines and treat them as part of the national coaching team,” Guiao added.
He said they will be asked to contribute their knowledge and at the same time learn from members of the coaching staff for at least two to three weeks to be able to acquaint their selves on how the national team prepares.
“They will also learn how we coach against other national teams, how we create game plans and adjustments during the game,” added Guiao.
The fiery NLEX Road Warriors coach said he is hopeful one from the BBEAL will be able to join the apprenticeship in the near future.
“But it’s up to BBEAL, they have to decide what the process is and make recommendations to us and I will endorse it to the SBP,” Guiao quipped.
This develop even as the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) will be holding a two-day clinic in a bid to promote grassroots development for coaches all over the country.
Slated November 17 to 18 at the University of the Baguio Gym, the clinic will cater to Level 1 and Level 2 grassroots coaches, recommended for Physical Education teachers, P.E. Majors, elementary, high school and college Coaches.
Daniel Danilo Soria, SBP-CAR deputy regional director said the clinic's objective is to bring new coaching methodology closer to home.
The curriculum includes basic fundamentals of coaching, from teaching simple to complex drills, up to the team concept perspective. Character-building and coaching philosophy were also given emphasis.
SBP launched the program in September during a coaches training in Zamboanga City.
Soria added the transfer of new basketball technology and upgrading of coaching skills will help in the development of the game in the locality.
Baguio City has produced professional players in Kenneth Ighalo of NLEX Road Warriors, including former PBA players Jun Marzan who played for Shell and Antonio Dela Cerna of Purefoods.
Sorai also added the coaching clinic is hoped to be instrumental in giving players a chance to go up in the top high school, college and professional teams, and even the national program. (Roderick Osis)