AT 40 years old, RJ Jazul can still probably hang with the best of the young ones.
But the 15-year PBA veteran feels at peace in his new journey as coach in Ateneo.
"Parang mas fulfilling na sa akin maging coach ngayon. I'm happy with how my career turned out and my journey now is to be a coach and mentor players," he told SPIN.ph.
Jazul sat for the first time at the sidelines on Saturday in the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup where he actively played his role as skills coach on shot-caller Tab Baldwin's staff.
It was also a humbling experience for him sitting side-by-side with fellow Blue Eagles assistant Louie Alas - his mentor in Letran then tactician at Alaska and Phoenix.
"Sa practice, 'di ko pa masyadong nafi-feel eh. Pero nung nasa game na, iba yung pakiramdam," he shared.
"Magkasama kami ni coach Louie since 2001 sa Letran. Kahit sa PBA, magkasama kami for nine years sa Alaska at Phoenix. Parang ayaw naming maghiwalay. Kaya nakakatuwa lang din and I'm grateful na naabutan ko siya sa coaching."
READ: From a coach's son to another, Tab finds connection with Kieffer
Adding to that fleeting feeling is that Jazul gets a chance to guide Alas' son Kieffer in Katipunan.
"Dati, ang liit-liit lang ni Kieffer, kinukuya lang ako. Sabi niya nga sa akin, he's not used calling me coach, pero sabi ko naman you can still call me kuya," he shared.
Cool coach
When Jazul's contract with the Fuel Masters lapsed back in January this year, the 5-foot-11 guard heavily weighed his options for the future.
He was already helping Ateneo's 16U team, with son Sky on the roster, for two years under coach Reggie Aromin as skills and player development coach. This year, he was then included in the blue-and-white 13U bench.
Though Jazul still thought of continuing his playing career, even attending a few practices with Terrafirma and considering the MPBL as his next pathway, the call to coaching just made more sense.
"Meron namang offers, pero for me, it's time," he said. "Siyempre, compared sa ibang players, 'di naman ako skilled and as athletic. Masipag lang ako and I kept on trying to find ways to be effective. Siguro kaya rin ako naging team captain because I'm vocal and I can see the floor properly and read the plays."
Jazul greatly appreciated all the learnings he got from the coaches that he worked under, from Alas and Jerry Ruiz in the amateurs to coach Rajko Toroman in the original Smart Gilas program and in the pros with Caloy Garcia, Franz Pumaren, Luigi Trillo, Alex Compton, Ariel Vanguardia, Topex Robinson, and Jamike Jarin.
"Para akong sponge eh. I tried to absorb everything na tinuro ng mga coaches ko sa akin," said the 15th pick in the 2010 PBA Rookie Draft.
And for him, this was the perfect time to pass all the knowledge forward.
Cool choice
Jazul was happy to continue working in the Ateneo youth program, but when Blue Eagles team manager Epok Quimpo came calling, he knew he just couldn't say no to another opportunity.
"Boss Epok asked me if I'm interested in joining the staff sa seniors. Sabi ko, siyempre naman. Working with coach Tab, sino ba naman ang hihindi," he said.
Though he's still finding his footing in this new team, Jazul shared he's happy that players are seeking his help, particularly on the traits which led to his longevity.
"Yung mga guards talaga yung naka-assign sa akin. Shooting-wise, may players na lumalapit sa akin to teach them how to do it. I'm more than willing to help with the experience that I have," said the Pasay-born shooter.
Fresh as this start may be, the mentality never changes for Jazul; one that he hopes these Blue Eagles emulate from him.
"Sa akin naman, same lang din tulad nung player ako: I'm expecting na makinig sila sa aming coaches," he said. "They have something kaya sila kinuha ni coach Tab sa team. So I'm just trying to input some stuff and help the players be better."
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