GOLDWIN Monteverde once again lived up to his name - yet not a lot of basketball fans know about him.
The stern bench tactician reaffirmed his stature as one of the top coaches in high school basketball for the better part of the decade by steering Nazareth School of National University to the UAAP Season 81 juniors championship.
That trophy is just the latest addition to his already swelling collection that includes titles in Palarong Pambansa, Metro Manila Basketball League (MMBL), Tiong Lian Basketball League, and National Basketball Training Center (NBTC).
Overcome with emotion, Monteverde could no longer hold back tears after the Bullpups completed the 64-53 Game Two victory over the defending champions the Ateneo Blue Eaglets on Friday for his UAAP trophy.
Later, the usually stoic bench strategist bared he got emotional after seeing the hard work of his boys pay off in the form of a finals sweep of Kai Sotto and the favored Blue Eaglets.
"Mixed emotions kasi ang nakikita lang sa amin is yung talent ng team, pero yung mga sakripisyo, yung mga time na binuhos, and yung mga time away from the parents ng mga players, kumbaga at least nakuha naman namin yung championship," he said.
Personally, the victory also validated Monteverde's move to Jhocson as he won his first UAAP title in only his second year at the helm in the high school program, ending the school's three-year title drought.
"Syempre masaya. It’s my first UAAP championship, at yung pinakapagod namin whole year, we’re very happy na at least na-accomplish namin," said Monteverde, who previously handled the high school basketball programs of Adamson and Chiang Kai Shek.
Revelling in the success of his boys, Monteverde said he doesn't want to look too far ahead as far as his coaching career is concerned.
"Di ko pa ma-isip. Magse-celebrate muna ako sa kanila," he said, busting out a smile.
But wherever he ends up, Monteverde said he doesn'y want to veer to far away from his path of developing future stars.
"As a high school team, ang goal namin is to keep yung players growing and learning. Syempre, this is just a level for them na siguro after one year, maraming aakyat sa college. And we have to prepare them also. Doon muna kami focused sa team," he said.
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