Barrios, PBA coaches hail SEAOIL program

MANILA, Philippines - Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios and PBA coaches lauded the holding of the SEAOIL National Coaches Convention that drew over 200 participants from all over the country recently.

National Training director Alex Compton said the Philippine Basketball Association mentors Tim Cone and Chot Reyes were impressed by the attendance and enthusiasm of the participants, most of whom will be handling teams in the SEAOIL Elite League which is already ongoing in many parts of the country.

“The coaches were overwhelmed with the event. They had never experienced anything like this – a free three-day coaches convention that featured some of the most well-respected coaches in the country,” said Compton about the event backed by SEAOIL Philippines. “The participants left with some valuable basketball knowledge, and they left inspired.”

“Mr. Sonny Barrios has been extremely supportive the whole time. He attended and spoke to the coaches, and he is glad that the program is indeed helping develop basketball at the grassroots level nationwide, both for coaches and players,” he added.

Cone and Reyes taught half court defensive principles and the transition game while University of the Philippines coach Ricky Dandan (zone defense), National University mentor Eric Altamirano and Compton (fundamental skills development) along with internationally acclaimed leadership trainer Eric Villarama (innovation and leadership as an integral part of mentoring players) also gave valuable insights.

The event was attended by aspiring coaches from Baguio, La Union, Tarlac, Olongapo, Cavite, Batangas, Lucena, Naga, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Tacloban, Ormoc, Cagayan De Oro, Iligan, Davao and Zamboanga.