ANTIPOLO — Pat Aquino has no intentions of toning down his fiery episodes on the sidelines now that he’s calling the shots for Blackwater in the PBA.
It’s been the style of coaching he’s known for since mentoring in the collegiate ranks with National University and famously in the Gilas Women program, so don’t expect any switch-up in his leap to the professional ranks.
“I don’t know if I’m gonna change or what, but the thing is, I just need them to know how I feel about the game,” the former player turned bench tactician said.
Aquino made his debut on Tuesday when the Bossing took on TNT in a Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup encounter. Although they lost, the outing is a sign of how much the team has been buying into their new head coach.
They ultimately bowed to a 99-94 result, yes, but not before giving the Tropang 5G a run for their money, as they charged back from 10 points down entering the final two minutes and got to within a point with 44.6 seconds left.
Blackwater just couldn’t figure out a way to get ahead and close it out, and the tandem of Calvin Oftana and Bol Bol went on to put the game away. Nonetheless, it was a gallant stand — and a solid response to their new coach.
(C) PBA Images
The crew showed the kind of fight that wasn’t there in their previous matches, particularly in their humiliating 56-point defeat to current league leaders Rain or Shine and then a narrow loss to the struggling Titan Ultra.
As for the 54-year-old, it was quite an awakening for him as well, on how challenging coaching can be in Asia’s pioneering play-for-pay league.
“Hirap pala mag-coach sa PBA,” he admitted. “It’s so hard. I mean, a lot more adjustments to go. I know we fell short, but may little changes — I think you saw naman, may konting pagbabago, but we need more of that.
“And natapat pa tayo roon sa shooting woes namin, parang 2 out of 25 ata. Sobra,” he lamented, referring to their dismal outside shooting.
Still, it’s a learning experience not just for him but for the whole squad as well. And both he and the team are meeting each other halfway in terms of instilling a mindset.
“As I’ve told them before, I’m gonna work, and you’re gonna work. And, I’m a winner, you should be winners,” said Aquino, who’s easily the Philippine women’s national team’s most successful head coach of all time.
“I think they’re getting it. Hopefully, they get used to it, all the shouting that I’ve been doing and everything,” the three-time SEA Games gold medalist and six-time UAAP champion added.
“Hopefully we’ll do more next time.”
