COACH Jerson Cabiltes is a solid proof of what the Fil-Chinese Athletic Association Inc. is all about.
Despite his hectic schedule handling three different teams in major basketball leagues, Cabiltes still finds time to call the shots for his alma mater Hope Christian High School.
“I will never say no to my alma mater,” he said.
Cabiltes, who’s at the helm of the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo in the MPBL and the Emilio Aguinaldo College in the NCAA, tries to steer his former school to the FCAAI 30-and above championship opposite Xavier School.
On Saturday, Cabiltes was at the Ynares Center in Montalban as part of the Titan Ultra coaching staff, two days before Hope and Xavier begin their best-of-three title series at the Tanduay gym.
The veteran coach said he doesn’t mind lacking in sleep these days as long as he does the thing he loves best.
“For me kasi this is what I love, coaching in all levels of basketball,” he said. “And whatever I can do for hope Christian, I will always be available.”
Arjan dela Cruz, the former San Sebastian Stag and star player for Hope Christian during his high school years, embodies the same principle of his coach.
“Yung pride (playing for your alma mater) hindi naman nawawala yan ever since,” he added during the formal championship presser held over the weekend at the Oriental Palace Seafood Restaurant.
Hope Christian will be up against a Xavier School side bannered by former PBA player Kyles Lao and current Phoenix head coach Charles Tiu, with Howie Chang calling the shots.
Tiu erupted for 32 big points during the head-to-head encounter of the two schools in the eliminations won by Hope, 82-76.
Curiously, Hope and Xavier will likewise dispute the championship in the 50-and-above category.
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