Tamaraws head coach on new recruit, player development during pandemic

Not even the pandemic can stop the Far Eastern University (FEU) from focusing on player development, especially after the Tamaraws made themselves “mostly set for UAAP Season 83” with their recent recruitment of Cebuano wing Kevin Guibao.

"We're always open to recruit quality players from the province, but we're pretty much set for this year," Tamaraws head coach Olsen Racela said in a report from ESPN5.com, referring to the Season 83.

Guibao is from the University of San Jose-Recoletos in the CESAFI juniors division. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2019 Partner's Cup and is the latest player to join the Tamaraws following rookies RJ Abarrientos and Cholo Anonuevo.

He also follows Technological Institute of the Philippines transferee Ximone Sandagon and Nigerian Emman Ojoula.

"We like his length and athleticism and we feel that this will be an advantage, especially on the defensive end,” complemented Racela, referring to Guibao’s 6-foot-3 frame. “We're all excited to have him."

RECRUITING GUIBAO

In recruiting Guibao, Racela also said in the mentioned report that the team were joined by FEU product and TNT KaTropa sharpshooter Roger Pogoy to help in emphasizing the program's effort to develop players.

"We reached out through our assistant coach Ryan Betia who is from Cebu. We just explained to Kevin that our basketball program's approach is all about player development," said Racela.

"We have a group of experienced coaches who could train and help him improve to give him the best chance of achieving his dream of making the pros someday. The large number of Tamaraws playing in the PBA right now is proof of that. And it helped also that Roger Pogoy was there in the Zoom meeting to convince him."

Racela added that the rookie forward will have "to earn his spot in the team."

"Shooting and decision making are things that he needs to work on. We have yet to see him play within our system so I'm expecting a period of adjustment on his part. All the coaches will be there to guide him," the coach shared.

GUIDING THE ROOKIE, THE TEAM

Guibao and the Tamaraws are now being coached and mentored online—the only way they can be done given today’s current situation.  

This is a task that Racela and his coaches have successfully done in the offseason, the article also mentioned.

"Right now we're limited in terms of what we can do with the boys, but coaches have to be creative also. We regularly have cardio workouts via Zoom. We've also asked those who have access to a court to work on their shooting because that's a big part of our system," he said.

Racela also enlisted the help of respected PBA players and a former Tamaraw for some mentorship sessions.

"When you talk about development, it's not just physical," he said. "We had mentorship sessions during the lockdown with guest speakers to help in the development of the boys.

"We invited LA Tenorio to share his experiences with the guards, Jeff Chan with the wings, Danny Ildefonso with the bigs, Sol Mercado with our Fil-foreigners and coach Pipo Nuondou with our FSAs (foreign student-athletes)."

The coach is also hoping that all these coaching and mentoring will benefit his players in the long run.

"Growth takes time and for some, it manifests long after their FEU days. As coaches, we just do whatever we can do to guide our players and hope that they become better people when they graduate," he expressed.

 Photo is from rappler.com