Five-time PBA Most Valuable Player and Hall of Famer Alvin Patrimonio reunites with former Purefoods head coach Eric Altamirano in the coaching staff of the National University Bulldogs.
Wednesday afternoon, during the Bulldogs’ first game in the 2016 Filoil Flying V Premier Cup against the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, many were surprised to see Alvin Patrimonio on the bench of National University. Altamirano later on confirmed that the team tapped Patrimonio’s services to coach the big men of the Jhocson Street cagers.
“He’s part of our coaching staff. He just came in and his job is to develop our bigs,” Altamirano said after National U’s win over Benilde. “We have a lot of bigs that are still young and needs his guidance. He’s a big help.”
Last season, Patrimonio was part of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers staff as team consultant. The 49 year old PBA legend shared that he received a call from Altamirano himself and team manager Manny Sy if he can help out with the Bulldogs, specifically the team’s big men.
“I got a call from coach Eric (Altamirano) and from boss Manny Sy. Sabi naman ni Mr. Hans Sy, kailangan ng coach for the bigs.
Kaya ayun,” Patrimonio said.
What made the decision easier for Patrimonio was that his daughters Christine and Clarice are members of the three-time UAAP Women’s Tennis champions, the Lady Bulldogs. “It was a collective decision since hs kids are studying in NU,” Altamirano shared.
Reigning UAAP Women’s Tennis MVP Tin Patrimonio
The Captain played under Coach E back in 1997 back when the Star Hotshots were known as the Purefoods Corned Beef Cowboys. Coach Altamirano, 31 years old at the time, was able to lead the Cowboys to the All Filipino crown against a heralded Gordon’s Gin Boars (now Barangay Ginebra San Miguel) to become one of the youngest coaches to win a PBA championship. During that year, Patrimonio averaged close to 40 minutes of playing time with norms of 20.3 points and 7.4 rebounds.
“I’ve also coached him before and I know what he can do and his leadership, just his mere presence is big for us,” Altamirano added about Patrimonio’s hiring.
For Patrimonio, he is looking forward to the challenge and admitted that he will focus on developing 6’7 transferee Matthew Aquino, formerly from the Adamson University Soaring Falcons.
Transferee Matthew Aquino, together with JV Gallego and JP Cauilan, were sent to the States a year ago to develop their skills
“Talagang malaki potential nung bata. Masipag at gusto talagang matuto,” Patrimonio said about the second generation center. “Magandang exposure itong Filoil sa kanya papunta sa UAAP kaya ngayon pa lang go hard na dapat siya.”
Moreover, the PBA’s record-holder in most consecutive games played added that the challenge for Matthew was to match the intensity his father Marlou gave on the court. “Yun ang challenge namin sa kanya,” he said. “As long as masipag lang siya, sumusunod sa coach and i-aaplly niya mga natutunan niya as practice, doon siya makaka gain ng experience.”
Patrimonio will be joining Joey Guanio, Vic Icasiano, Paolo Layug, and new strength and conditioning coach Dan Rose in Altamirano’s staff.
