Multi-titled jr mentor remains hopeful in Youth 5 coaching job

Retiring Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) star point guard Olsen Racela may be the sentimental favorite to become the head coach of the Philippine Youth basketball team, but multi-titled high school mentor Jamike Jarin of Ateneo also looms as an ideal choice to lead the under-16 squad. Jarin led the Ateneo Blue Eaglets to a Grand Slam title in the UAAP, which served as his ticket in earning a spot in the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters coaching staff. Will his accomplishments be enough to land him the coveted job as head mentor of the young men’s squad? For the young but talented mentor, he believes he has the credentials to back him up. "I don't want to boost my stock, but I have coached 100 players, won over 100 UAAP games, bagged eight junior titles, assisted in the seniors division for 12 years and won four titles there. But all these things won't satisfy me until I have served as coach of the national team," Jarin said. But the youthful bench tactician knows the situation he faces now. He believes the more experienced and the more popular Racela is the strongest candidate among the shortlist of aspirants. "I know he is the sentimental favorite, but I hope the people who will select the next national youth team coach would take a more realistic approach on what the team really needs as its coach," said Jarin. Jarin added that the under-16 squad will have a totally new composition, but he sees no problem with this if he is chosen to handle the squad. From now until July, which is when the FIBA Asia Under-16 Championship takes place, time is really short, according to Jarin. He believes the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas should act now and name the team's coach at the soonest possible time. "This is where familiarity comes in. I’ve seen most of the guys who are in the under-16 age level, so I see no problem with that even if medyo maigsi na yung oras ," added Jarin. Outgoing national youth team coach and now National University Bulldogs mentor Eric Altamirano agrees with Jarin's observation and thinks time is running out for our under-16 squad. "If ma-move yung event ng Under-16 Championship, we still have time, but time is really short so that we have to form the squad now," said Altamirano. Asked about the possibility of working on the national youth team in a different capacity, Jarin has a reason for not accepting anything other than the head coaching post. "If I will be the head coach of the youth team, I can be more flexible in my schedule and work on my other commitments. If I will serve as assistant coach, mahirap ‘yun for me because I have other commitments, which include Talk N Text in the PBA," Jarin said. - Rey Joble, KY, JVP, GMANews.TV