Despite being in Texas for the last two months, San Beda great Robert Bolick has seen the Straight Up podcast that featured Evan Nelle, Calvin Oftana, and Clint Doliguez.
And Bolick admitted to Tiebreaker Times that multi-titled Red Lions head coach Boyet Fernandez is as intense as they come.
“Coach Boyet is one of the hardest working coaches na I’ve been around with. Grabe siya mag-scout. He is a winner — he exceeds. Hindi nagbibigay ng relax mode kahit sinuman ang kalaban. Kahit Team B, Hindi siya nagpapatalo. Talagang ayaw magpatalo ng tao. Grabe magtrabaho kaya patok kaming dalawa. Ayaw ko rin magpatalo e,” said Bolick, who studied in and played for San Beda from 2015-2018.
“Nag-aaway rin kami ni Coach Boyet pero ang maganda sa amin, we know na it’s part of the game.
“May kasabihan that players should always listen to the coach pero si Coach Boyet also listens to his player. Parati kami nag-uusap at nakikinig din siya sa suggestions namin. Pag winner kayo pareho, may high standard. Wala kaming problema kasi gusto naming manalo e. Nagkakaproblema man minsan like ‘yung practices namin matagal. Pero dahil ‘yun sa kagustuhan niya na lahat ng plays ng kalaban kahit Filoil, ma-practice namin. Para sa amin pa rin kaya ganun,” he continued.
During the four years he spent in the Lions’ Den, the 6-foot-1 guard out of Leyte shared that he and Fernandez also had their fair share of arguments.
One instance was when they could not beat Lyceum during the elimination round of the NCAA Season 93 tournament.
“Si Coach Boyet sa akin, ‘pag natatalo kami, sasabihin niya sa akin parati, ‘Uy, kinakain ka na naman!’ Alam niya na galit na galit ako nun. So babawi ako sa laro.
“Siguro nasanay lang siya sa akin. Nangyari din sa akin ‘yun. Pero sa akin, tuwang-tuwa ako dun. After nun, tawanan kami ni Coach,” said Bolick as they eventually conquered the Pirates in the Finals via a clean sweep.
Playing for San Beda means that second place does not cut it.
It’s a mindset embraced not just by Fernandez as Bolick said that he, Javee Mocon, and Donald Tankoua all carried that chip in every game.
“I always blame myself pag natatalo kami because I’m the leader of the team. Kami nila Mocon at Donald ganun because we are the one playing. When you lose, you lose as a team. When you win, you win as a team. Pag talo ka, talo din yung buong community. Ganun lang naman yun.”
That is why when Bolick watched the series of videos, he was surprised, to say the least. Moreover, he was disappointed.
Bolick himself has experienced not meeting eye-to-eye with a head coach.
From 2013 to 2014, Bolick, a blue-chip guard out of La Salle Green Hills, could not get constant playing time at De La Salle University.
Instead of sulking or being angry, he took it as a challenge. And for that, he is still grateful to then-Green Archers head coach Juno Sauler.
“Alam ko naman nagbibiruan lang sila pero nadala lang siguro. Next time isipin muna nila bago sila mag ganun. Every coach, nakikita nila ‘yan. I think they should just be careful sa mga ganun kasi yung mundo ng basketball maliit lang. At the end of the day, he is still your coach,” shared the 25-year-old, who has become one of the top stars in the PBA.
“Pero sometimes, what happens inside the team should stay in the team. Ask Coach Juno. Ganun kami and I still thank him. Whatever happens, coach ko pa rin siya.”
For Bolick, no one should question the resume of Fernandez — a six-time PBA D-League Champion, a four-time NCAA champion, and a former PBA Coach of the Year.
And at the end of the day, Bolick stressed that every coach should be respected.
“Coach Boyet deserves his position. Ilang championships na siya. Until now, I still talk to him. All my coaches, Coach Juno, Coach Jamike [Jarin], and Coach Pido [Jarencio] also. Mahal na mahal ko lahat ng coaches ko. Maliit na bagay lang naman yun para sa mga ginawa nila para sa akin,” expressed Bolick.
“For Coach Boyet, no doubt kami sa trabaho niya. It just boils down kung sino sa players ang gusto manalo. We have full trust kay Coach Boyet.”
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