WYNNE Arboleda knows that his players in San Sebastian are probably too young to even know what he did back in his playing years.
And to be quite frank about it, "The Snatcher" would rather not have his players search for his videos lest they want to see him body up his defenders on the court... or worse.
"Kumbaga yung mga players dito, di pa pinapanganak o kakapanganak pa lang nung naglalaro tayo. Mga tito na lang nila nakakakilala sa atin," Arboleda smirked.
But if there's one thing the 48-year-old wants his players to get from his 15-year PBA career, it's for the Golden Stags to take it to heart to never give up.
"Always naman, wag lang gumive up pag naglalaro ng basketball. Every time yan, hanggang hindi mo naririnig yung final buzzer, may chance ka pa rin," said the pride of Kalibo, Aklan who is in his first year as a deputy for both San Sebastian seniors and juniors teams under coach Rodney Santos and Richie Melencio, respectively.
Wynne's way back
It was a long path back to basketball for Arboleda who admitted stepping away from the hardcourt after his retirement in 2015.
Of course, you can only keep yourself away from the game for so long before it comes back knocking.
"Nag-relax talaga ako. Na-realize ko lang na kailangang pa rin maglaro ng basketball dahil sa health natin. So bumalik ako tapos naisama ako sa coaching," he shared.
Arboleda found his way to TUP last year serving as a coach for the Grayhawks before Melencio brought him to Recto to help out with the struggling Golden Stags program.
Now, he relishes this chance of imparting his knowledge to the next generation.
"Nandoon kami sa teaching ng players. Syempre gusto natin silang gumaling at tumaas ang level ng laro nila, but syempre sila pa rin ang nagdadala ng career nila and hindi kami. Ginagawa naman namin ang lahat para manalo," he said.
Wins have been hard to come by for San Sebastian so far this NCAA Season 102, losing all of its six games despite its best efforts.
Arboleda, however, is frank to tell his players to keep on grinding as the Golden Stags fight not only for their team and their school but also for their dreams.
"Simple lang: hindi ka nananalo, hindi ka mapapansin. Kaya sinasabi namin sa mga bata, nandito kami para ituro yung sistema, so sundin lang nila at maipapanalo din natin yung mga laban through sa skills and talent ninyo. And ang pinakamahalaga, yung puso pa rin na lumalaban hanggang dulo."
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
