After the National University Bulldogs romped the University of the East Red Warriors on Saturday afternoon, Jamike Jarin immediately spread his arms as he went towards the opposing bench. Waiting for him was Joe Silva, who also had his arms stretched out.
The two exchanged a warm embrace.
“Today, he’s the enemy. But after forty minutes, we will be family again and I’m sure he feels the same way,” shared Jarin.
Jarin has been a father figure for Silva for two decades now.
“I’ve known coach Joe since he was in fourth-year high school, that was 1998.
“He was a senior and then eventually, he went to college with Ateneo. He wasn’t able to make it to the senior team but we were together there, until he graduated,” added Jarin.
In 2004, Jarin, who was then coaching the Blue Eaglets, tapped Silva to join his staff. And the two created magic together, winning five crowns while helping develop players like Jai Reyes, Paolo Dizon, Bacon Austria, the Ravena bros, Von Pessumal, and the Nieto twins.
However, the two had to go on their separate ways, as Jarin was called up to be an assistant coach for the Meralco Bolts back in 2011. Silva was promoted to head coach of Ateneo’s high school varsity squad.
But even if he was with Meralco and later on, San Beda, Jarin, like a father, always made sure to watch Silva’s games. And he made sure to be there when Silva won two crowns in the UAAP Juniors Basketball level.
“Like what I always say, when you win a championship, you’re happy for your kids, for your players especially at a young age. You’re very happy,” shared Jarin. “But the feeling of one of your players winning a championship as a coach, and I saw that with coach Joe, it was a different feeling pa. Iba.
“The happiness for him, I can’t describe.”
Two decades after first crossing paths, Jarin and Silva are now in opposing camps, Jarin with NU and Silva with UE. But the mentor is immensely proud of how far his student has come.
“Well, coach Joe Silva and the Silva family will always be family. “
