RECENTLY, when a coaching clinic was held in Alabang where Tim Cone and Jong Uichico were two of the main speakers, there was one curious attendee.
His name? Raymond Aguilar.
The Barangay Ginebra third-string center signed up for The Champions Class clinic organized by Ginebra deputy coach Richard Del Rosario. Aguilar said he tried coaching his kids' basketball team, but is keen to expand his knowledge.
LOOK: Bellevue ballroom turns into halfcourt for coaching clinic
“May mga 10-under [teams] kasi kami na classmates ng mga anak ko sa Ateneo. So medyo hindi naman lahat nabibigyan ng opportunity na makalaro. Nag-ttraining kami twice a week. Ma-aapply ko ‘yung mga nakuha nating inputs,” said Aguilar.
Incidentally, Aguilar won all his PBA championships under the two main speakers of the two-day clinic. The Ginebra big won six titles under Cone and one under Uichico during his brief time with Talk ‘N Text in the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup.
“Gusto ko lang makita ‘yung different points of view nila sa basketball. Gusto ko makita ‘yung both angles para for the future rin, meron din tayong mga inputs na bago, paano sila nagko-coach, paano ang preparation,” said the 38-year-old.
Even though he is usually in the far end of the bench and playing limited minutes, Aguilar said he sees to it to gain knowledge from his coaches by observing them keenly. Aguilar said he already has a general overview on how coaches strategize.
“Siyempre makikita mo kung paano ang diskartehan lalo na sa mga situational. Nakakakuha ka rin talaga. Most likely, mas maiintindihan mo kasi mas mahaba ‘yung watch time mo. Nate-train ‘yung thinking,” said Aguilar.
While he attended the coaching clinic, Aguilar said retirement remains far from his mind. He can still contribute on the court, as shown in the Game One of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series against San Miguel where he had six points, one rebound, and one block in eight minutes and 30 seconds of action in Ginebra's 73-71 win.
Besides, coaching is a lot of work, Aguilar added.
“Kaya ako nagpunta kasi gusto ko malaman kung ready na ba ako, magre-retire na ba? Medyo hindi pa," he said. "Gusto ko pa maglaro kasi mukhang mabigat na trabaho ang pagiging coach. Mas nakakapagod pa nga sa tingin ko kasi buong araw ka mag-iisip.”
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