NOWADAYS, coach Jack Santiago can’t go to the University of the East campus without any student asking him for photos.
“Meron na,” he told SPIN.ph while chuckling, reaping the rewards of the Red Warriors’ successful campaign so far in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. “Now. maybe because we’re winning, they love me.”
READ: UE tightens grip on third seed after trumping NU
It’s a complete turnaround from where Santiago was the first time he stepped foot in Recto.
Replacing late head coach Bong Tan and active consultant Lawrence Chongson at the helm, Santiago knew he had his work cut out for him the moment he signed over the dotted line in UE.
“Talaga namang if you want to develop a team, it’s not going to be successful overnight. Kaya nga when I signed a contract, sabi ko at least man lang three years yung contract,” he said.
Trust the process
Most definitely, it wasn’t easy.
His first year saw the season abandoned due to pandemic, followed by a winless campaign in a bubble setup marred by a two-game suspension after he was found to have instructed his players to harm University of the Philippines guard Ricci Rivero.
That incident already saw a number of critics call for his head.
But the Red Warriors stuck with Santiago, leading to surprising campaigns in the next two seasons, first behind Luis Villegas and the next led by Rey Remogat.
Even when Gani Stevens, and eventually Remogat, left for greener (or more maroon) pastures, the coach’s dedication to the program never wavered.
And now, with the red-and-white seemingly poised to end a 15-year playoff absence, Santiago deserves all the credit for believing.
“It took time, but I’m so happy with the boys kasi itong batch na ito, lahat ito, ako na ang nag-recruit, so players ko na lahat ito. Kumbaga, due na for a win, hinog na yung players,” he said.
Proving himself - for himself
Personally, it’s also a run that solidifies the capability of the longtime deputy of champion coach Franz Pumaren.
“At least, na-redeem ko rin yung sarili ko. And I’m so blessed with the help of all of the people who surrounds me,” said Santiago, looking back at the arduous path he took to get here.
After a four-year PBA career which included a championship with Sta. Lucia, Santiago was eventually absorbed as an assistant by Pumaren in La Salle in 2002 where he spent the next decade and change, before joining the mentor when he went to Air21 in the PBA and back to the UAAP with Adamson.
Eventually, UE came calling Santiago’s number and when he told Pumaren of the news, the latter only had one thing to say.
“Sabi niya lang, it’s about time na mag-coach na ako ng sarili. But kahit head coach na ako ngayon, guided pa rin niya ako and he makes sure na we have coffee or dinner kahit na nasa congress siya,” shared Santiago.
With Pumaren’s lessons firmly entrenched, Santiago is doing his best to emulate the successful run his mentor had – with now his best shot yet, as the Red Warriors sport a 6-3 slate and on track to their first Final Four since 2009.
“Yung coaching naman, as long as marunong ka mag-motivate ng players, you study yung nuances ng basketball, and with the help of having a good core inside, magiging madali ang lahat. And I’m so happy with the boys cause they’re responding very well sa hinihingi ko this season,” said the Mapua product.
No more red card from the Red Warriors
Santiago understands that just like in life, there will be ups and downs - and that’s the reason why he’s really enjoying this ascent of UE.
It’s a brutal business and coaches like him will always be assessed on the results they bring.
“All that criticism is part of our job. 'Di ka maka-perform, it’s understandable that the community will chastise you. Normal naman yun,” he said.
“At the end of the day, as a person, I’m just trying my very best to prepare the players. Sometimes, may ups and downs and I understand the sentiment of the community because they want us to succeed,” Santiago furthered.
“Yung mga criticism, I just took it as a challenge and maybe because of that, it helps me kasi 100-percent talagang naka-focus ako sa team kasi ayokong mabigo sila sa pagmamahal na binibigay nila sa akin at sa team.”
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