JERRY Codinera’s departure was so abrupt that Arellano had to scramble for his replacement immediately – eventually handing the job to high school consultant Junjie Ablan to see the NCAA Season 94 through.
While it’s certainly a promotion handling the seniors team, taking over mid-season with the team struggling makes this case a whole lot different.
“Siyempre, nagulat. Di ko naman ineexpect na mawawala si Coach Jerry, parang na shock ako tapos nung after na, magandang challenge din ito to continue lalo na kahapon, one day to prepare,” said Ablan who handled Arellano in its first year in the NCAA.
“Hindi ko kilala mga players, sa rotation nga di ko alam sino ipapasok ko dito so talagang nakakatakot,” he added.
Despite being on an interim basis and having six games to spare since taking over, Ablan is in no hurry to inculcate his system to this squad, saying that it’s something that needs to be taught slowly.
“Kailangan ko iano yung system ko unti-unti. Kailangan ma-ano yung transition eh, yung hindi mabibigla yung players,” Ablan explained.
“Kasi pagka-bigla mo binago, para silang nag start sa ano eh, gusto ko syempre, I have little time to prepare, slowly iintroduce ko yung system,” he added.
Ablan said that now he’s focusing on getting the excitement back for his players, something that he believes was lost as the season went by and the losses started piling up.
“Sinabi ko lang sa kanila na ano, ibalik lang (yung dati). Nung nakita ko parang lately. Nung first round napapanood ko sila eh, yung mga huling games, parang bumaba yung (level) nila eh."
“Sinabi ko sa kanila nung start na yung feeling ba ng opening game uli ngayon. Excited kayo. Full of energy. Baka sakaling ma-wake up yung ano nila, baka sakaling magising sila. Puro motivation pa lang kasi wala talagang time to prepare.”
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