Manning the sidelines and suiting up for a team all at the same time is indeed a tedious task to fulfill, and that is the dilemma of Gamboa Coffee Mix Coffee Lovers playing coach Leo Avenido in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup.
“Siyempre as a coach, sa totoo lang, ang hirap eh,” stressed the 10th overall pick in the stacked 2002 PBA Draft on juggling both duties.
“Playing coach, ‘di naman ako si Jawo eh. Pero yun yung binigay na task.”
But on Thursday night at the Ynares Arena in Pasig for the opening of PBA Lite’s second conference, Avenido’s actions spoke otherwise. He may have shared how tough his job is, but he did it with no woes or whatsoever.
And he even led his Coffee Lovers open their maiden Foundation Cup run on a rousing note.
The neophyte club team came out on top of fellow newbie Zark’s Jawbreakers, 85-84, a result that might not have favored the Coffee Lovers if it were not for Avenido’s game-clinching free throws in the bout’s remaining 3.4 ticks.
As the buzzer sounded, the 2012 ASEAN Basketball League Most Valuable Plauer finished with 15 markers, five boards, two steals, and two assists — notable numbers coming from somebody who is nearly 40 years of age.
Thursday game’s climax could not be more fitting for the renowned journeyman. But for Avenido, a former FEU Tamaraw, all he did was to help his squad keep their heads high in their very first test.
“Nakita ko medyo down yung morale, so sinubukan ko na lang din yung sarili ko kung maiaangat ko yung morale nila. Medyo mababa yung morale namin pagpasok ng game eh,” said Avenido, who had numerous gigs in the PBA.
“Kaya siguro ganun na lang yung concern ko na ‘sige, bahala na, bigay ko na.'”
One of the issues that new mentors face is handling egos in the locker room. But not for Avenido though, as he keeps an open line between him and his players for a more fluid relationship especially within the four sides of the court.
“Sabi ko lang sa mga teammates ko, ako lang yung sinabing coach dito, pero lahat kami coach kasi yung suggestions nila, open sa akin.
“Mga plays na gusto nila mangyari, kasi sila naglalaro. Ako ‘pag naglaro ako, yun din ang gusto ko, kaya yun lang ang inaapply ko sa kanila,” the D-League’s first-ever playing coach stressed.
Now that the Coffee Lovers have passed their initial test, Avenido still sees a lot of work to do for his wards as they now tread into the Foundation Cup, with tougher opponents looming in the horizon.
“Medyo wala pa kami sa shape. Late kami nag-umpisa. Game shape na lang namin. Yun na lang,” said Avenido.
