Part 3: My UAAP Tennis Coaching Journey - Coach Daddy

During the last couple of years, I often found myself asking the question: "Until when will I coach in the UAAP?" Was it until I am old and wrinkly?! Was it until I coached the kids of my former players?! Would I finally ride into the sunset when I wasn't winning anymore?! or was it when I reached a certain number of titles that I was satisfied with and hold the record for most titles ever won by a coach in the UAAP?! I never really had a firm answer, but I knew if the time was right, and for the right reasons, then I would just know it would be time to call it a career.

Season 77, 78 & 81 MVP Clarice and Season 76 and 79 MVP Christine Patrimonio

 

Season 76 and 77 MVP Fritz Verdad

Well, that time is now. 17 seasons, 22 UAAP titles, two schools. It was a great (almost) two-decade run. I feel blessed beyond imagination to achieve so much in my young adult life. I never had a clear vision of how and when it would end, until now.  I met so many great people, from players to parents, to school officials, and other great people over the years. I will cherish all those moments and carry good memories in the next chapters of my life. 

'Intense' and 'Too Competitive'

I've had this reputation to opposing players, coaches, parents and supporters who refer to me as being 'villainous', and generally unpopular with people outside my teams. Perceived to be 'too hard' and 'intensely competitive'. If you cared too much about what people always thought about you, then you will always feel insecure about yourself. I knew who I was as a person outside the court, and I also knew who I had to be inside the court. It didn't have to necessarily be the same person. My teams and players understand that nature of me that other people misunderstand. We have this deep trust and bond that whatever is said during training and games, especially in the heat of battle should never ever be taken personal, and never to be taken outside the playing court. There is usually no time to explain the details of what is happening, or what I anticipate will happen and the players have full trust in me that what I am doing is for their welfare and the best of the team although most of it seem to make no sense at that time. It's like a superior officer in the military handing down orders to their troops. There is no time to question orders when given on the battlefield. Sometimes encouragement is needed when the players feel down on themselves, sometimes they need motivation to fire them up. Sometimes players doubt themselves and their abilities in the biggest moments, and when I see that, a quick jolt of electricity is better than a pat on the shoulder. 

With UP player Joshua Cano

The last couple of years, I was able to interact with players on the opposing teams on a more personal level, when a couple of them approached me for an interview to be a resource person for their thesis or school paper. One of them, Josh Cano, whom I've known since he was a kid, and Auden Paduganan, who only knew me as an opposing coach in the UAAP, both had the same reaction after our interview. That I was so approachable and easy to talk to, and so far from the competitor during the games. Auden even said he was hesitant to ask and afraid to interview me as I was so 'scary' during games! I guess that was the persona I had built up to opposing players and coaches. As the late great Kobe Bryant said; "Love me or hate me, its one or the other". As any student will always tell you, the teachers that they always remember and appreciate the most are the ones who gave them 'tough love', and pushed them beyond their fears and self-doubt, and never made it easy on them. A coach needs to know each and every player as a player and as a person to know how and when to 'push the right buttons' to help them achieve things they didn't even imagine possible.

I dedicated a big part of the last two decades in the pursuit of excellence year in year out for the teams, the school and the players. I remained hungry and ultra-competitive for each and every game I coached. I always played to win, just as I was when I was a kid. Anything less than my everything will just be not 'me'. But now a new challenge and opportunity has come my way, and it's time for me to dedicate all my efforts to my family. To give them the best possible opportunities to become the best at what they eventually choose to be. 

When I got married and started a family in 2014, I told my wife that I would want to someday be always there for our kids. To watch their games when they played sports, school plays and recitals. take them to and from school and just be a good father and guide them to become the best versions of themselves. Just like how I did it for my players in their respective collegiate athletic careers, although this next chapter of my life will lead me to a different path in every sense of the word! I feel a sense of coming 'full circle' when I left UST in 2011. A lot of people couldn't understand  back then how I could leave despite all the success, and a lot of things going for me and choosing a situation with more questions than answers. But just like in 2011, I feel like there is something greater to achieve in my next journey. 

Began with two titles my first season, and ending with two titles in my last season in UAAP Season 81

With two beautiful children who are quickly growing up, I feel the time is right for me to give my full time and attention to them. My wife has been taking the lead in taking care and looking after them for the past few years. She has always wanted to go back to her career in the corporate world, and despite the challenges of the pandemic, we have been given a golden opportunity to achieve our dreams as a family that will take us to a different part of the world. With a little bit of luck and a lot of prayers and faith in God in the coming years, I can only pray that we can be as successful and blessed as I have been in the past 20 years. I feel I have accomplished so much at such a young age, and to be given a chance to chase another dream, but this time for your family as a whole is something I cannot pass up.

By writing this article I feel this can provide closure to an amazing part of my life. Its like having to break up with someone you have loved so much for so long. But you know deep within your soul that you must go your separate ways. I have to give my heartfelt gratitude to all the parents who entrusted their children to be under my stewardship and care. To UST and NU admin and management, Fr. De Sagon, Fr. Roland De La Rosa, from UST, Mr. Hans Sy, Mr. RJ Ermita, Mr. Nilo Ocampo, Mr. Edwin Lee, Arch. Paul Galang and countless other people who have helped me along the way; it was an honour to have worked with all of you. To my former players in both schools, there are too many of you to mention. Each one of you was special, and taught me a great deal on how to become a successful mentor, and I hope you also learned and had a great time in your time in college. I hope to see you again in the future to reminisce the great times we all had!

COACH K OUT!