For Willie Miller, development is more important than recruitment.
The new Colegio de San Juan de Letran Squires head coach said he puts more premium on nurturing homegrown players and establishing an own basketball program rather than sourcing out talents elsewhere.
The former two-time PBA MVP stressed he's no fan of offering lucrative offers especially in the high school setup.
"I stick with the team itself. Kung ano ‘yung meron, ‘yun na ‘yung papalaruin. Hindi ako mahilig sa kuha nang kuha, bili nang bili katulad ng ibang coaches," Miller said.
"Gusto ko, maglalaro para sa team, hindi maglalaro para sa pera and allowance. So I’m trying to change ‘yung culture ng basketball na pumapangit na. Gusto ko maglalaro for basketball first and for the school itself."
[I stick with the team itself. What we have, that's who we'll play. I'm not a fan of recruiting and recruiting, spending money like other coaches... I want players to play for the team, not for money and allowance. So I'm trying to change the culture in basketball that's getting uglier. I want them to play for basketball first and for the school itself.]
Miller made sure to stick with the same pool of players when he assumed the coaching role at Letran high school even after the graduation of key players Titing Manalili, Jovel Baliling, and George Diamante.
And that bore fruit for Miller, at least in their first game in the NCAA Season 100 juniors basketball tournament on Monday.
Second-year player Jhuniel Dela Rama, who was used sparingly last year, led the charge with a huge double-double outing of 14 points and 11 rebounds to go with one assist in their 63-45 victory over Lyceum of the Philippines University.
Providing the help was veteran Syrex Silorio, who churned out 12 points, two boards, two steals, and two blocks as they kicked off their three-peat on a dominant note.
And while they are off to a good start, Miller said they are far from achieving what he envisioned for the squad but said there's no pressure of delivering another title.
"Wala naman. Hindi naman nakakatakot matalo. ‘Pag natakot ka, lalo kang matatalo. ‘Pag pinressure mo sarili mo, talo ka na agad," he added.
"So you take it one game at a time. Hopefully we get the good side of every game, ‘yun ang pinakamasarap."
[I'm not afraid to lose. If you're afraid, you're more likely to lose. If you put too much pressure on yourself, you've already lost... So you take it one game at a time. Hopefully, we get the good side of every game. That's the best feeling.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
