New University of Santo Tomas head coach Bal David was not with the team on Monday when the Growling Tigers made their 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preason Cup debut against Jose Rizal University.
Surprisingly, it was former Growling Tigers and current Tiger Cubs head coach Jinino Manansala who was calling the shots from the sidelines.
According to Manansala, David was already presented to the team but is still studying the ins and outs of the program.
(C) Fr. Rodel Cansancio
“Actually na meet na-meet na namin si Coach Bal David. Siyempre di naman agad-agad na nandiyan siya, kailangan niyang pag-aralan, panoodin ‘yung game namin,” said Manansala, who steered UST to a 3-11 record last season. “Ready naman ako lagi pag kailangan ako ng team, pero actually kahapon lang kami nagensayo eh kaya ‘yung sistema ko bago ko lang linagay.
“Basta, sabi ko nga, ready ako kahit saan dalhin, kahit doon, kahit saan; I’m ready. Sanay ako diyan, basta ako, basta pag UST ang pinag-uusapan, alam niyo yan loyalty ko diyan. Hanggang sa dulo, hindi ko bibitawan yan,” added Manansala, who is designated as the team’s interim head coach for this tournament.
“Kaya ngayon, naka-focus ako sa juniors, tinutulungan ko ‘yung seniors; para pag turnover ko kay Coach Bal maayos na ‘yung mga bata.”
Meanwhile, Albert Alocillo will still be the interim head coach of the Growling Tigers in the PBA D-League.
(C) PBA Images
Still, Manansala and Alocillo are ready to offer any form of support for David as he makes his coaching debut in UAAP Season 85.
“Nung nandun si Coach Bal ang sinabi lang niya sa ensayo kailangan mag-compete tayo sa isa’t isa kasi nakikita niya ng malambot eh,” shared Manansala, who is also the head coach of St. Clare.
“Dapat, pag nandun na kayo sa practice, makipagcompete kayo; pagalingin niyo ang isa’t isa, ‘yun lang ang sinabi niya na dapat ma-itatak utak ng mga players. Kailangan may physcial, pero wag lang magkasakitan.”
Graduating Tigers Sherwin Concepcion and Bryan Santos are excited to have David as head tactician.
After all, David is an icon in both UST and Ginebra San Miguel.
“Siyempre, sobrang excited kami kasi bagong coach, and actually napapanood na namin siya dati. Kasi, na-introduce na siya sa’min ni Father [Rodel Cansancio]. ‘Yun naging maayos naman,” said Concepcion who tallied 20 markers against JRU.
“Ako din, excited din kasi may mga bagong sistema matutunan bago ako maka-punta ng pro,” added Santos, who also got 20 points in the game.
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The entire 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup will stream LIVE on Smart Sports Facebook page
