Coaches Agustin, Reyes take shot at PBA history

He was a member of the last San Miguel Beer team that won a grandslam in the Philippine Basketball Association, a member of the champion squad Pampanga Dragons in the short-lived Metropolitan Basketball Association, and also part of the first Red Bul champion squad when he was making a comeback in the country’s premier pro league. Already a proven winner during his playing days, Ato Agustin brought with him his successful ways all the way to coaching. Four championships in his coaching debut — titles in the Philippine Basketball League, the NCAA men’s basketball, the CHED Palaro and the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season tournament — were indeed a testament to the fact that Agustin is no stranger to winning.

Now the pride of Pampanga will take a shot at PBA history as he tries to become the first coach to win five championships in his coaching debut. On Saturday, Agustin’s Beermen will face the Talk N Text Tropang Texters in Game One of the best-of-seven championship series in Victorias City. “Honestly, I’m not aware na puwede pala akong makagawa ng history," Agustin told GMANews.TV. “And to know that gives me added motivation as a coach." PBA head of stats Fidel Mangonon III did confirm that if San Miguel wins the championship over Talk N Text, Agustin will become the first coach to win five titles in his coaching debut. “He won with Excelroof in the PBL, the CHED Palaro, the NCAA and the Filoil Flying V. It will be historic if he leads San Miguel to a championship in the PBA," said Mangonon. Jay P. Mercado, a well-known basketball historian of MYPBA.com website, as well as a human resources manager of a popular fast food chain, is simply amazed by Agustin’s accomplishment. “I’ve seen guys winning championships in different leagues, such as Baby Dalupan for UE in the UAAP, Ateneo in the NCAA, Crispa’s farm team in MICAA, and the Redmanizers in the PBA. I also saw Joel Banal and Turing Valenzona doing similar things before. But Ato is more amazing, considering the fact that he did those things in his coaching debut," said Mercado. Agustin, a former PBA Most Valuable Player who was also named as among the 25 Greatest Players in league history, considers the coming finals series as his biggest challenge yet. “This is a different level. PBA na ito, eh. The best of the best are here. Best coaches, best players and best games. So this is a big challenge for me. Of course, my main objective here is to help my team win a championship," said Agustin. But what’s so special about Agustin’s coaching? “There’s no special secret about my coaching. I make my coaching simple. and we implement simple basketball in San Miguel Beer," said Agustin. “Ang gusto ko lang is to bring out the talent among my players." Two for three = history for Chot But Agustin isn’t the only coach who gets a crack at PBA history. His counterpart, veteran mentor Chot Reyes, will try to become the first bench tactician in league history to win at least two titles each with three different teams, according to Mangonon, also the PBA’s trivia man. “Not even ‘The Maestro’ Baby Dalupan was able to do that during his 16 seasons as coach in the PBA. Dalupan and coaches such as Yeng Guiao, Tommy Manotoc, Ed Ocampo and Norman Black, who won titles in different teams, didn’t have a 2-2-2. Chot has a chance to achieve such a feat in his team’s finals series against San Miguel," added Mangonon. Reyes won two championships with Purefoods, two championships with Coca-Cola, and a title with Talk N Text more than two years ago. Ironically, this conference’s meeting against his former team could be a record-setter for the fashionable mentor. A win will also put Reyes into the second all-time list of coaches who won All-Filipino titles — with Dalupan having the most with seven AFC crowns. “Coach Baby has won seven, four of those came from Crispa and three from Great Taste, including the last back-to-back All-Filipino crowns," said Mercado. “Chot has three now, tied with Tim Cone and Norman Black, while Jong Uichico, Ryan Gregorio and Dante Silverio all have two." Surprised over these facts, Reyes says he now has additional motivation for the coming championship series. “It’s the first time I heard of such trivia, so I really can’t say anything. But there’s no greater motivation for me than winning with my players for our organization and ownership. They have given so much and deserve nothing less," said Reyes in a text message. The PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals series hasn't started yet, but there's been so much interest building up not only because it involves two giant firms in the country. The historical figures involving the two coaches serve as a fitting backdrop to an expected smoker of an encounter. One thing is sure: either Agustin or Reyes will make it to the PBA history books. - KY, GMANews.TV