PINANGALAN ni Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio si Sandy Arespacochaga bilang head coach ng Batang Gilas na sasabak sa FIBA World Cup under-19 tournament sa Hunyo.
Hindi estranghero sa trabaho si Arespacochaga na nagsilbing champion coach ng Ateneo Blue Eagkets sa UAAP juniors noong 1999 at 2000 season.
Sa husay at galing, hindi pahuhuli si Areapacochaga. Ngunit, ang kanyang character at reputasyon ang siyang kinabibiliban ng kapwa opisyal at players. Ang kanyang presensiya ay ipinapalagay na magbibigay ng maayos na samahan sa Batang Gilas na pinamumunuan ni Ateneo star Kai Sotto.
Nakatakda ngW orld Cup 2019 sa Heraklion, Greece.
“Sandy has proven his worth as a youth basketball coach. He has won championships in the high-school level and has been an active member of the highly successful Ateneo college basketball program,” sambit ni Panlilio.
“Batang Gilas U-19 has performed well. It is important that we give them a great fighting chance to win games and get the valuable experience necessary to be competitive in that age group consistently”.
“Sandy’s demeanor is perfect for our young players. He is a natural teacher whose method of teaching is what our young players will embrace and appreciate. He uses his strong communication skills and low key personality to get the best out of his personnel,” aniya.
“It is important that we teach our young players to not only play good basketball but more importantly, conduct themselves positively inside and outside the basketball court. With his focus on a strong and wholistic values enrichment program, we in the SBP are confident that the success of the Batang Gilas program will be sustained and will eventually benefit even our Gilas Men’s program,” pahayag ni Panlilio.
-Marivic Awitan