On Friday, Robert “Hito” Candoy officially joined the growing ranks of former players turned coaches, making his debut at the helm of TNC Pro Team in their rematch against Smart Omega.
With Patrick “E2max” Caidic sidelined after an accident earlier in the day, TNC handed full control to Hito for the series. But his first outing as head coach ended in disappointment as TNC bowed to Omega in three games.
“Na-disappoint ako kasi hindi yun yung ine-expect ko eh. Kasi maganda kasi yung practice namin. Maganda yung preparation namin, yung draft namin, yung play namin. Hindi ako satisfied sa resulta,” Hito admitted in an exclusive interview with Tiebreaker Times.
Despite the loss, Hito expressed full confidence that TNC can still secure a playoff berth this season.
“One-hundred-percent confident ako na magpe-playoff kami kasi ilang weeks pa eh. Meron pa kaming three weeks at anim na matches. Kayang kaya namin mag-playoffs. Tatrabahuin lang talaga. Doble kayod and effort,” he said.
Since Season 10, TNC has been a perennial cellar-dweller before last season’s breakthrough. There, they nearly reached the top four but fell short in a 3-2 loss to Team Falcons PH.
Now taking the stage for the first time as coach, Hito said he felt thankful to E2max and the TNC management for trusting him with the role.
“Before ako mag-TNC, kinukuha na ako mag-assistant coach. Pero kelangan pa nun may sixth man eh. So namimili kami ni coach E2max kung maghahanap kami ng sixth man o maghahanap kami ng assistant coach. Sa unang ikot ng regular season, dun niya ko sinubukan kung deserve ko bang makaangat ng stage,” he recalled.
With TNC holding a 3-4 record for fifth place at the halfway mark of the season, Hito now steps into his new designation officially — as head coach.
He and the rest of TNC will aim to bounce back against defending champion Team Liquid PH on Sunday, September 21.
