Back minus the hype

The first time he came over, there was much noise about former University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) coach Bill Bayno. Now he’s back minus the hype.

The decision of Talk n’ Text squad to hire an American mentor to take over in the 2002 season of the PBA came as a shock to the Filipino basketball community. Naturally, it was questioned and criticized. Local coaches argued that it was unfair to import an American to take over a slot that otherwise would have been awarded to a worthy Pinoy coach. And it didn’t help that the candidate wasn’t exactly Mr. Congeniality.

Bayno was described as temperamental and sometimes uncontrollable. At the sidelines, he was wild. Perennially complaining about the officiating, although he didn’t get away with it. They say he put a lot of kids through school. The fines he paid went to the PBA players’ fund that is used to pay for tuition fees of players’ kids. He accumulated a total of P280,000 in penalties. "I think I set a PBA record. You can’t put a price on the truth," justified this former Talk n’ Text coach who was popular, others would prefer to use "notorious", for being vocal about his opinion regarding PBA officiating.

After two highly-energized and colorful conferences with the Phone Pals, that included an appearance in the 2002 Commissioners Cup finals where they lost to Red Bull in seven games, he left for the States to pursue a long-time goal–to be able to penetrate the National Basketball Association (NBA). He thought he was going to network and visit his friends who worked in the NBA. But fate had other plans for Bayno. In the States, he was met with an offer to coach the Yakima Sun Kings in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). And in ala-Godfather scenario, "It was an offer he could not refuse."

In the CBA, he bumped into faces he was familiar with in the PBA. Former Pop Cola import Rosell Ellis played for his team though he had to be traded after a few games. Among the things Bayno enjoyed was coaching against erstwhile prized import in the Talk n’ Text camp Gerald Honeycutt. Bayno’s best import in the PBA played for the Grand Rapids that challenged the Sun Kings in the CBA finals. "When you play against your former players, usually they play their best games. Because there’s added motivation." Bayno successfully steered the Sun Kings to victory. But with or without the win, he said the CBA was a great experience for him. For one, it was all-NBA rules so he got training for something he’s been wanting to do.

After the championship, he got two calls: first from the Talk n’ Text management asking him to come back as team consultant, and second from Coach Paul Woolpert who was calling the shots for the Phone Pals at that time. The second call was, according to Bayno, "a very beautiful congratulatory message to me for winning the CBA championship." He made a mental note to reply to that message left in his answering machine but he never got the chance to.

A few days after, Woolpert left for the States. "I was looking forward to working with him and for him but Talk n’ Text management decided to make a change," said Bayno. He added that they never really knew each other personally though he felt Woolpert’s struggles as a coach. For one, he reasoned that it’s not easy for any coach from another place to go to a foreign country and have success. He admitted that he himself had his own share of problems although he believes it was his background that enabled him to be efficient in the PBA. He coached in college where players had to be taught and trained. And that’s the exact approach Pinoy players are looking for. He was a teacher. You have to teach, to be able to make players better.

Basketball is very similar worldwide. Coaches have the same problems and frustrations and challenges. But Bayno singles out Filipino players, at least those whom he’s worked with. He has all praises for Asi Taulava and the rest of the Phone Pals. He claims they were a joy to coach. "I think it’s unique in that regard that the players here are more coachable," he added.

He pushed his players, no doubt. He also shouted and got mad at them. But players, unlike the media who criticized "wild" Bill’s display of emotions, understood their mentor. In fact, according to Bayno, some players like Mark Telan and Victor Pablo thrived on being challenged. He disclosed that all players want to be pushed. They all want discipline. They all want structure. And that’s what he gave them.

"They’re gonna act the way you allow them to act. If you let them be lazy, many times they will," said the demanding coach. And he got away with it because he credits the bond he built with his players.

"We have a bond that’s built on trust. They know that I care about them. When I do challenge them aggressively and I do raise my voice, it’s no different than a father raising his voice at his son to get them to do better and encourage them." However he was quick to add that it didn’t happen overnight. It was something that was built through practice and constant communication.

He arrived a few days ago. But contrary to the publicity he got (whether good or bad) the first time around, he’s been silent since he got back to stay for three months acting as team consultant of Talk n’ Text. And he’s comfortable this way. Everyday he goes to practice to work with individual players. One agenda is to give Asi pointers on shooting free throws. "Free throws are like putting in golf. It’s not so much technique as it is mental. You just have to try to relax. Find your rhythm."

He is very happy though with the performance of rookie Jimmy Alapag. He knew Alapag could play. He thinks it was sad that the Mighty Mouse was injured for the national team. "I don’t think the coaches realized how good he was. I was shocked when he went number 10," he disclosed. But then again, it worked for them. Had the coaches known what Alapag was made of, he would have gone sooner in the draft and Talk n’ Text wouldn’t have been able to snatch him.

The Phone Pals are 4-0 since Bayno got back and 4-1 since coach Joel Banal took the reigns. And that’s what makes Bayno worry-free. "I’m happy to be back. I’m happy to help Coach Banal." For those of you wondering why he hasn’t gone to any Talk n’ Text games, he prefers it that way. He’d much rather work behind the scenes now. Regarding calls and non-calls, "As a consultant now, I don’t think it’s my place to talk about the officiating." Well, that’s obviously a complete turn around from the very vocal stance last year.

But whether he could keep his silence and low-key demeanor, only time will tell. For now, he ends with this —"I’m proud that I came down here and stood for what is right and for Talk n’ Text. I think it created a lot of excitement. I think it created some renewed interest. I do feel like I brought a style of basketball that has helped a lot of Filipino players. I look now and I see lot of people are running and playing the way I played and I think the fans like that."

For comments, suggestions and reactions, post at www.jannelleso.com