Current National University head coach Jamike Jarin has honed and developed so many players back when he was the mentor of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets. And a lot of them have made it big in the PBA.
Even with this, what makes Jarin prouder is when a former ward chooses the profession he chose.
Last April 26, Tiebreaker Times broke the news that former Ateneo student-athlete and Blue Eaglet head coach Joe Silva was set to be named as the head coach of the University of the East Red Warriors. Jarin however knew about it even before as Silva sought for his advice before taking hte job.
“Well, he talked to his family and his good friends. Fortunately, I was one of them.
“We just discussed the matter and I said, ‘You are ready to take on a big program.’ That’s the way the ball bounces,” Jarin told Tiebreaker Times.
Jarin though firmly belives that Silva has always been ready for the big time.
“As a player, we didn’t win a championship. We lost the championship when he was a senior. We won a championship together as coaches kaya parang may bawi nun e,” recalled Jarin.
“That’s why he wanted to be a coach looking back.
“But for me, the biggest pala is not seeing your player win a championship in the PBA. It’s watching them win a championship sa UAAP — and he did it twice! Him coaching in the UAAP and with a big program in UE, it shows na we are doing something really good. It’s how many people you inspired and helped along the way ‘di ba?,” he beamed.
“When you are being drafted by the super friend up there in heaven, you get drafted because of the people you helped. I’m happy for him and his family.”
However, Jarin won’t be cheering for Silva once the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Basketball Tournament raises its curtain especially when the Bulldogs take on the Red Warriors.
“I told him, ‘I am happy for you but I won’t be cheering for you.'”
