OBET Javier's day job is volleyball coach, and he's quite successful at it.
His other job is that of a referee.
Just days after steering Arellano University to a third straight NCAA championship, Javier made his debut officiating in the collegiate ranks on Sunday as the first referee of the Adamson-University of Santo Tomas game in the UAAP Season 81 men’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
This is nothing new for the multi-titled coach. He has been officiating games since 2001, usually in UAAP girls’ division matches. But it was his first time to arbitrate a collegiate game as he used to be part of University of the East's men’s team’s coaching staff.
“Actually matagal na, ang nangyari kasi kaya hindi ako nakakapito dito dahil, di ba, nagco-coach ako dati sa UE. Bawal kasi yun so ngayon nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon grinab ko na yung opportunity,” Javier, a national referee, said.

One advantage of being both a coach and referee is he can be more patient with coaches, especially in heated games.
“Kailangan lang composed mo yung sarili mo kasi alam mo naman ang mga coaches. Coach din ako so alam ko yung pakiramdam nila, kailangan lang alam mo 'yung ano 'yung binibigyan mo desisyon para kung saka-sakali,” Javier said.
After a five-setter in his debut as referee in the collegiate ranks, Javier said he has a lot to improve on in officiating.
“Para sa akin maganda kasi five sets, kumbaga na-test yung kaalaman ko sa officiating,” he said. “Pero kailangan ko pa rin mag-improve kaya kanina bago mag-start, nagpapatulong ako sa kasama ko.”
But for the four-time NCAA champion coach, being a referee is no more than a part-time job and he doesnt intend to be pursue becoming international referee.
Coaching is his true calling.
“Ang alam ko kasi may edad 'yan pero okay na ko sa dito lang kasi pag pinetition ko pa yung ano, baka 'yung coaching ko pa madali,” Javier said.
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