Bogs offers to serve Gilas as skills coach

MANILA, Philippines - William “Bogs” Adornado, like former national teammate and fellow great player Robert Jaworski, is willing to serve the national team.

Since his retirement as pro player in the late 80s, Adornado said he has had a burning desire to be a part of the coaching staff of the national team.

“Dyan ako unang nakilala (It was there where I first gained distinction), and it would really be great to be a part of it and have the opportunity to give something back to the sport that we all love,” said Adornado.

“I think I can help even as a skills or shooting coach,” added Adornado, among the greatest – if not the greatest – pure shooters the country has produced.

Adornado, the top gun of the Philippine team in several international championships in the 70s, feels good hearing former elite national players offering to help the national team.

“You can’t go wrong with these people. They’ve been there, they know the atmosphere, they know the competition. Look at China, Korea and even Iran, they’re tapping former national players,” he said.

“In our time, we had in our team Caloy Loyzaga as the assistant coach. How can you question his knowledge of the game,” Adornado added. “There were many others who played the same role in our time, and they’re really of big help.”

“I’m not applying. What I’m saying is that we’re here and we’re available to help,” he pointed out.

Adornado said he keenly followed Gilas Pilipinas’ campaigns, silently celebrating its victories and mourning its setbacks.

“I felt really bad when they took that shot in the other team’s basket,” said Adornado, recalling the sad incident in the Gilas Pilipinas-Kazakhstan match in the Asian Games.

“Honestly, I shed a tear. I’m passionate about the Filipinos competing in international arena maybe because I’m a former national player,” he said.

He recognized Gilas Pilipinas’ great contribution in bringing the country back in the world basketball map. And he hopes that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is able to sustain the program to further boost the country’s stock in international play.

Adornado had his share during his time as a player, leading the team to a championship run in the 1973 ABC Championship and to a 13th place windup in the 1974 World Championship where he ended up among the Top 10 scorers. He also had a stint as a national youth and as an Olympian.

Reviewing its national team program, SBP starts the process in convening on Tuesday the special search committee which will make a short list of nominees for the national team head coach.

Jaworski, coach of the Philippine team that bagged the silver medal in the 1990 Beijing Asian Games, said he would be honored and happy if considered for the job.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud, a member of the committee, said he would push for coaches who have international experience.

Norman Black, Tim Cone, Jong Uichico, Yeng Guiao and Tab Baldwin are PBA coaches who’ve been to international wars.