It was not easy for Brian Goorjian to coach Bay Area in its PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals opener versus San Miguel, Wednesday.
The veteran mentor lost his father, Ed, just recently.
“It’s hard no matter what age, and being away,” he said.
His father’s influence on him has been huge.
The Goorjian patriarch was a distinguished coach. He led Loyola Marymount from 1980-85 before becoming an assistant of UNLV in 1992.
But arguably the time he cherishes the most was when he coached all his three sons, including Brian, in the Crescenta Valley High School boys’ team.
“I love my dad,” said the 69-year-old from California, who’s the most successful bench tactician in Australian basketball. “A great man. Special man.”
Still, even with a heavy heart, Goorjian fulfilled his duties and steered the Dragons to a 103-102 comeback win for a 1-0 lead in the best-of-5 affair.
The victory is, of course, dedicated to his late dad.
“I felt him today,” he said after the match at the Philsports Arena.
Goorjian also took the time to express thanks to those who have been helping him pull through, from his Bay Area family to those who he’s known while here.
“The opposing team, referees, you people in the Philippines, I keep saying it: You got a lot of class. A lot of class about you. I appreciate you all,” he said.
“And I’m thinking of him.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
