For San Sebastian College-Recoletos head coach Arvin Bonleon, every practice should count as competitive and exciting as an actual game.
The 50-year-old tactician went into detail how he set up a system that has kept the Golden Stags disciplined and efficient on both ends of the floor.
This, following San Sebastian’s 83-72 victory over University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Saturday.
“Kahit sa practice very competitive sila. Ginawa ko ‘yung three points namin na five points eh. Bawat three points magiging five points ‘yan. So naka-tight defense talaga kami. Walang nate-take for granted," Bonleon said. "Sa offensive rebound, plus two sa points. 'Pag turnover, negative one. Bakbakan sila sa practice. Kung ano ‘yung team na matalo, [may] punishment. Nagiging competitive sila through that system na ginawa ko,” said Bonleon.
After seeing their performance in detailed numbers, Bonleon knew there had to be a significant change in their system which prompted him to tweak their training sessions.
“Nakita ko sa stats na may kulang kami. Kailangan ko dagdagan [‘yung effort] kaya [either] bigyan ko sila ng punishment or reward. Reward na maging five points ‘yung three, may plus ‘yung offensive rebound at negative ‘yung turnover. Para umiwas sila sa turnover. ‘Yang turnovers na ‘yan may punishment rin ‘yan. Tatakbo ‘yung buong team, so talagang nag-uusap sila. May communication. Tulong-tulong sila."
Though the Golden Stags came up short of a playoff spot with a 5-11 card, Bonleon is upbeat for their final two games as they face Final Four-bound Mapua University first before taking on defending champion San Beda University to wrap up another grueling season.
“Gusto namin bigyan ng magandang laban ‘yung Mapua dahil dumikit kami sa kanila nung first round. ‘Yung lapses na ‘yun tiningnan namin paano kami nagka-problema doon. So we want to [improve] if not perfect ‘yung offense and defense namin against them,” he concluded.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
