Deep knowledge of his personnel serves as Phoenix Super LPG coach Jamike Jarin’s biggest weapon in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
Jarin said his familiarity with his players like Ricci Rivero, Javee Mocon, JJ Alejandro, Tyler Tio, Sean Manganti, Simon Camacho and Ken Tuffin enables him to plot their game plan based on their strengths, weaknesses and tendencies.
Rivero, a former University of the Philippines superstar, played for Jarin in the Batang Gilas squad in the 2013 SEABA U16 Championship while Mocon and Alejandro was with him when he mentored San Beda University and National University, respectively.
On the contrary, Jarin coached against Tio of Ateneo de Manila University, Manganti and Camacho of Adamson, and Tuffin of Far Eastern University when he was still coaching the Bulldogs in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
“It’s a plus for me,” said Jarin, who cut his teeth coaching the juniors team of Ateneo.
“Before you coached them, they were boys. They became young men. And now, they are in the manhood of their careers. I am blessed to have them.”
Jarin’s familiarity with his players bore fruit.
The Fuel Masters are the hottest team in the league right now, winning franchise-best six straight matches to occupy the second spot of the team standings with a 7-1 win-loss card.
They will enter their blockbuster battle with powerhouse San Miguel Beer on Christmas Day with sky-high morale before tackling other heavyweights like Meralco on 10 January and TNT Tropang Giga on 14 January.
But whatever happens, the Fuel Masters are already in a perfect position to earn the top four slots in the eliminations in which they will be given a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals.
Jarin said they are taking their campaign one game at a time, starting with the Beermen, who were boosted by the arrival of Don Trollano from a three-team deal that sent Robert Bolick to NLEX.
“There are still a lot of games to be played,” Jarin said.
“Our focus is now on San Miguel on Christmas Day.”
