Caloy Garcia vows to juggle his roles after agreeing to become the assistant coach of Topex Robinson at De La Salle University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
In an interview with Daily Tribune, Garcia said he asked permission from Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao and his superiors if he can help Robinson in his debut as head coach of the Green Archers.
Although he was given the green light, Garcia promised to dedicate most of his time with the Elasto Painters, who are in the thick of their campaign in the Governors’ Cup of the Philippine Basketball Association.
“Before I confirmed with coach Topex, I asked permission from my bosses and coach Yeng so I will not short-hand anybody. I just have to fix the schedule so there won’t be conflicts, but if there will be any,
the priority will be Rain or Shine,” said Garcia, who remains an assistant coach and head of basketball operations of the Elasto Painters.
At La Salle, Garcia will have a very crucial role.
In fact, Garcia, who faced Robinson in a lot of battles in the National Collegiate Athletic Association before playing together in the defunct Philippine Basketball League, was tasked to handle the offense while another assistant coach in Mon Jose will call the shots on defense.
Aside from Garcia and Jose, Robinson also tapped Gian Nazario to be part of the coaching staff.
“He’s designating coaches for certain positions. I’ll be for offense then Mon will be for defense and as much as we’ll help each other, he wants me to focus on the offense of the team,” Garcia said.
“I’ve never been under coach Topex. That’s gonna be another learning process for all of the coaches. We just have to adjust to what he wants, just be professional about what he wants to do.”
Garcia added that he will do his best to apply what he learned in the professional ranks to college kids.
“In the PBA, you’re already made. There’s not much to adapt for,” he said.
“But in college, you have to bring them to grow. That’s one thing I’ve learned and I can probably give that to coach Topex because we were teammates before.”
