Centro Escolar University head coach Janine Pontejos admitted to struggling with the urge to lace up and play during the Lady Scorpions’ debut against Galeries Tower in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
Pontejos and the Lady Scorpions suffered a tough blowout loss to the Skyrisers, 46-102, opening their campaign on a disappointing note last Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist found herself itching to contribute on the court but chose to stay focused on her role as head coach, guiding a young Lady Scorpions team against the veteran-laden Galeries squad.
“Naiingit ako kasi gusto ko ng pumasok, pero siyempre as a head coach, kailangan pigilan mo ‘yung sarili mo. Kailangan i-compose mo rin ‘yung mga bata,” said Pontejos.
Pontejos expressed her intention to play in the league in the near future but emphasized that her primary focus right now is to help her squad gain valuable experience and exposure in the competition.
(C) WMPBL
“Yes, hopefully sana makalaro ako kasi ayun nga, Ako, sana makapaglaro rin ako in the next season para at least mapakita ko sa mga bata na ‘yung mga tinuturo ko is naa-apply ko rin,” said the 32-year-old sharpshooter.
“So far, ngayon nakulangan pa rin talaga ako kasi ako, marami rin akong lapses sa mga bata kasi short kami sa preparation. So at least nakita ko naman na lumalaban sila, so mag-adjust na lang kami in the next game. Mahaba pa naman ‘yung preparation namin for the second game, so ayun.”
Regarded as one of the best players to carve out an impressive career without playing in the UAAP, Pontejos aims to guide her players along the same path she took, which eventually led her to Gilas Pilipinas.
She believes the WMPBL is the perfect platform for her players to showcase their talents.
“Of course, goal ko ‘yun na sabi ko nga sa kanila lagi, nakikita niyo na hindi ako galing ng UAAP so narating ko ‘yung national team. So bakit hindi niyo makakaya? Effort lang kayo, then trabahuhin niyo lang ‘yung gusto niyong marating, then tutulungan ko kayo,” said the Gilas Pilipinas mainstay.
“Maganda ‘tong WMPBL kasi nga marami kasing players na hindi natin nakikita outside the UAAP. So ayun, meron silang opportunity na makasali sa Gilas at makikita rin namin, and the coaches of Gilas, na meron pala talagang mga players na kaya nila maglaro kahit hindi sila galing sa UAAP.”
