Friday, April 5, 2019

Arespacochaga called up as Batang Gilas head coach

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has named Sandy Arespacochaga as Batang Gilas head coach.

Currently serving as the First Assistant to Tab Baldwin at Ateneo de Manila University and as an assistant coach with TNT Katropa, Arespacochaga will be tasked to handle the team in both the upcoming FIBA Under-19 World Cup this coming June, as well as the FIBA-Asia Under-16 Championships scheduled later this year.

He also has had head coaching experience, leading Ateneo de Manila to the UAAP high school basketball championship in 1999 and 2000. Sandy has been with Ateneo in the senior ranks since 2002, mainly serving as an assistant coach aside from his stint as head coach for a couple of seasons. He has also served as an assistant with Yeng Guiao and Norman Black.

The soft-spoken and mild mannered former Blue Eagle has developed a reputation as one of the best motivators and teachers of the game towards young players.

In making the announcement, SBP president Al Panlilio says, "Sandy has proven his worth as a youth basketball coach. He has won championships in the high-school level and has been an active member of the highly successful Ateneo college basketball program."

In choosing Arespacochaga, he adds, "Batang Gilas U-19 has performed well. It is important that we give them a great fighting chance to win games and get the valuable experience necessary to be competitive in that age group consistently."

Panlilio believes, "Sandy’s demeanor is perfect for our young players. He is a natural teacher whose method of teaching is what our young players will embrace and appreciate. He uses his strong communication skills and low key personality to get the best out of his personnel."

He concludes, "It is important that we teach our young players to not only play good basketball but more importantly, conduct themselves positively inside and outside the basketball court. With his focus on a strong and wholistic values enrichment program, we in the SBP are confident that the success of the Batang Gilas program will be sustained and will eventually benefit even our Gilas Men’s program."

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