IN A bid to promote grassroots development for coaches all over the country, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) held a two-day clinic at the University of Baguio gym over the weekend.
Some 53 coaches, including eight women, from all over northern Luzon took the chance to upgrade their basketball coaching knowledge from SBP coaches lead by nine-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) champion and national team assistant coach Jong Uichico. He was the lead speaker and facilitator of the clinic with Far Eastern University assistant coach Ryan Betia, 3x3 specialist coach Mark Solano and coach Xander Gubat.
Uichico emphasized the importance of basic fundamentals of coaching and taught simple to complex drills, up to the team concept perspective.
“The coaches here have an inquisitive and curious minds. They have knowledge of the game, they just need more experience in terms of higher level of competition and coaching,” said Uichico.
Participants were level 1 and level 2 grassroots coaches, physical education teachers, P.E. majors, elementary, high school and college coaches.
Senior Police Officer 3 Eleuterio Del Castillo Jr., traveled all the way from Ildefonso Ilocos Sur to attend the clinic and thanked the SBP for the memorable and fun learning experience.
Castillo said he would apply what he learned when he retires, as he would have more time to coach.
According to Uichico, the grassroots level is most important because when coaches know how to teach the basics and fundamentals of basketball, the better their game will be.
Saint Louis University Navigator’s coach Raymund Austria agreed saying coaches play a crucial role in molding better athletes, adding that he coaches to help his players not only with their skills and talents but also with their education.
A product of the Baguio-Bengeut Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) and former University of the Cordilleras Jaguar, Kathlene Bangtowan who is now a MAPEH teacher added she learned new offensive and defensive plays which she could also relay to her students.
The two-day clinic culminated with the Level 1 coach examination. The results of the exam will be announced by the SBP in a few days.
Daniel Danilo Soria, SBP-CAR deputy regional director, said that the coaches’ clinic will continue next year and they are planning a regional tournament to bring basketball in different regions at higher scale.
“If you are only contained only here in the region and your level of competition is the same, you can never improve” explained Uichico.