BASKETBALL fans might still remember Jaime Rivano as the referee confronted by former UP Maroons coach Bo Perasol during a heated UAAP game back in 2019.
This official is now doing some sort of coaching of his own.
Rivano, 37, is one of the assistant coaches for Batang Tiaong, which earned a place in the 2024 Smart-NBTC National Finals later on this month.
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“Ako mismo ang lumapit sa Batang Tiaong,” he said in a short chat during the NBTC South Luzon Regional Championship at Quezon Convention Center.
A Tiaong native himself, Rivano took it upon himself to extend a helping hand to the grassroots team of his hometown back in 2020, first as a team referee and now one of the trusted deputies of coach Rexember Baldeo.
His knowledge on the side of officiating has been vital – one that is evident in Batang Tiaong earning its place in the NBTC Division 1 last year and booking a return trip to the National Finals this season.
“Yun ang trabaho ko, na ituro yung tamang depensa sa mga bata at wag na magreklamo. Nandito ako para kumausap sa mga referee,” shared Rivano, who looks up to Fiba commissioner Hector Villanueva and SBP Region IV-A training officer Nestor Magpantay as his mentors in refereeing.
“Kay coach naman, nagtatanong lang siya sa akin kung may maling tawag at doon lang siya nage-express ng concern.”
Funny twist of fate
It’s also a funny twist of fate for Rivano as he now backs an expressive coach in Baldeo.
But he’d be the first to caution his head coach to keep his emotions in check, stating, “Ako sanay na ako masigawan, pero ang inaalala ko si coach kasi pag na-out siya, mahihirapan kami sa team kung ako yung tatayo kasi di naman ako coach talaga.”
At the end of the day, the referee only wants one thing in his stint with Batang Tiaong: to be an instrument in helping raise the level of play in his hometown.
“Exposure ito lahat para sa probinsya namin kaya talagang pinagbubutihan ng mga bata at ng buong team,” he said.
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