Prominent movers of National Collegiate Basketball will be holding a Basketball Coaches Workshop at the Ateneo de Naga University to be followed by a sports clinic at the Naga City Gymnasium. This event is scheduled for one day only and this opportunity is too good to ignore.
Despite being early at the Integrated Terminal, I was still late to catch majority of Coach Noli Ayo’s presentation about the current sports culture in Bicol. Commuter Vans are normally not at their usual speed standard during Saturdays, I checked-in quarter past nine at the Arrupe Convention Center of Ateneo where the workshop is being held. I was greeted by Don Razon, the coach of STI Naga Basketball Team, who was waiting for me to arrive.
Following coach Ayo’s presentation is a talk given by Dr. Raul “George” Canlas, the Executive Director of the Moro Lorenzo Sports Medicine Unit, on Sports Injuries and Hydration. Dr. Canlas’ experience in local and international basketball campaigns has earned him a spot in the Medical Oversight Team composed of other top-notched sports doctors from around the world in the recently concluded Olympics held in China.
Though some part of his presentation showed players twisting their elbows, feet and a shovel to the face, it was presented to give an impact on the importance of re-hydration and proper conditioning to avoid and or minimize any sports injuries.
The Assistant Coach of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Coach Sandy Arespacochaga was the third and final resource speaker for the morning. Being a basketball player himself, a Blue Eagle Varsity and an assistant coach for a very long time, Coach Sandy has a lot in his basketball arsenals that he gamely shared with the coaches. His talked centered on how to create a solid basketball program. Basic to complex tips on basketball programs to coaching was part of his agenda.
Five things I learned from him are the Five Things a Champion Basketball Team have. 1. A Champion basketball team shoots more free throws over their opponents. Since it’s a free shot, it is a mortal sin not to have free throws in a single game. 2. A Champion basketball team rebounds better than any of its opponents. Both for defensive and offensive rebounds, champion team never give more rebounding opportunity for their enemies. More rebounds mean more chances for field goals. 3. Shooting more points is not the main concern of a champion teams, it is having a higher field goal percentage that their competitors. 4. Champion teams have fewer turnovers than their competitors. 5. Champion teams don’t give easy basket for their opponents; they have to earn it the hard way.
It was a brilliant effort for Coach Noli Ayo, the Athletics Director of the Ateneo de Naga University, to have invited such high-profile guests to talk about basketball, a sports we Bicolanos love more than ourselves. His effort of uniting Bicolanos in the name of sports is one noble cause that is worth pursuing and sharing. Sports, just like life, is a shared experience collective experience. We need each other to win and survive.
Pretty sure basketball aficionados who were at the event went home with better knowledge and appreciation of the game. A game that can and has transcended cultural barriers. A game we will never get tired playing.
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