IPIL, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY — Marvin Hayes accepted a new role when he joined Clarin Sto. Niño as their team manager for the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Leg.
But he is not yet done with the playing part, therefore, doing double duty for the Misamis Occidental-based squad.
The ex-pro bared being in charge of the team is no joke.
“Yung trabaho ko mahirap talaga,” he said.
“Iba’t ibang ugali ng player yan kailangan mong kilalanin, at the same time pag may mga problema kinakausap ko na agad sila.”
But as hectic and stressful as his managerial duties are, the 6-foot-2 banger still puts a premium on his on-the-court role.
Hayes the player was all over the place Thursday when they trumped MisOr Brew Authoritea, 73-63, at the Provincial Gymnasium here.
He dropped 12 points on a 5-of-8 shooting clip, alongside six boards, a steal, and a team-high plus-16 rating. All that in just 15 minutes of action.
“Isa na rin ako sa mga beterano dito, kumbaga yung ibang kasama kong ex-pro lagi kaming nag-uusap dito para sa team,” he shared.
Despite the good showing, the 35-year-old Hayes said he is more on the mentoring stage of his career, putting Joseph Eriobu, Brent Palattao, and all their other big men under his guidance.
And it showed.
Eriobu was solid as the starting center, finishing with seven points and eight rebounds while Palattao grabbed nine caroms.
“Actually may mga teammate ako na mas bata ako, kumbaga tapos na ang time ko. Kumbaga binibigyan ko sila ng chance para maipakita yung kakayahan nila.”
