Coach Calib a silent operator in molding UC basketball greats

CEBU, Philippines —  Only a handful may have noticed him because he works away from the spotlight but the truth is he’s aregular fixture and a shining pillar of the highly successful University of Cebu (UC) basketball program for over two decades now.

He was first introduced to the coaching world by then UC vice president Atty. Baldomero “Merong” C. Estenzo, who hired him as trainer on the fundamentals of basketball in April 2001. Seeing his potential, he was eventually designated as assistant coach of UC’s high school and college varsity teams the following year.

Since then, coach Calib Pallo Gawangon diligently and obediently played his role with passion burning in his entire being, from preparation in practices to making in-game suggestions. He carries out a lot of duties more than just sitting on the bench.

But what he relishes most among his many responsibilities is serving as an extension of the head coach that helps guide the players not only towards the right way of playing hoops but also shape them to become persons with good values and character and a positive outlook in life.

“I instill first the ultimate principles about God, family, being a student, and as an athlete. I focus more on how they develop their skills and exert much effort for them to become well-rounded players,” the pride of  Tamboboan, Claveria, Misamis Oriental said of his coaching philosophy.

“I want them primarily to grow as a person not just a player by instilling to them the values first. In the actual process of motivating them, I applied varied approaches that I believe suit the personality of the player: “different stroke for different folks”.

Looking back, the 45-year-old Gawangon couldn’t help but be proud and happy that in his own little way he became part of June Mar Fajardo’s awe-inspiring journey as a player as well as Brian Heruela and Roger Ray Pogoy’s ascent to hardcourt fame.

Fajardo, Heruela, and Pogoy are among the brightest products of UC basketball.

And Gawangon is fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to train them during their fledgling years and along the way help made them what they are now today.

When their paths first crossed in 2006, Gawangon said he saw Fajardo’s potential right there and then not only because of his towering height but also of his evident humility, hard work, and willingness to learn.

“His rise to the professional basketball, with the backdrop UC fundamentals, is already indelible in PBA history. From being nobody to being six-time MVP, most lights grew pale in view of June Mar’s basketball light. Thus, the humbling privilege of God for me to walk with Abai (Fajardo) in basketball light, is a must walk to remember,” said Gawangon.

“The Kraken” himself has nothing but words of praise and gratitude to his former mentor and friend for life.

“Mapasalamaton kaayo ko ni coach Calib kay sugod gyud pag-tryout nako sa UC siya gyud ga-atiman nako.

Gitudloan ko niya mga basics kay wala man koy alamag sa basketball atong panahona. Siya pa gyud manglibre pirme namo og pagkaon sa akong papa kato nag-tryout pami kay limited raman budget namo,” recalled Fajardo, who powered the UC Webmasters to back-to-back CESAFI championships in 2010 and 2011 with a league-record three MVP trophies under his belt.

“Ang dili nako makalimtan katong nag-tryout pako unya gusto ko makat-on gi-ingnan ko ni coach Calib, “Sayo og ari sa coliseum kay mag-early work out ta”. Naabot ko mga 6 am na unya naa na ngadto si coach sayo kaayo mga 4 am pa lang. Mao to iya ko gi-ingnan nga kon seryoso ko mag-practice ug makat-on kinahanglan mosayo ko kay mag-extra work mi. After ato, sige nami early extra work,” Fajardo continued.

“Mensahe nako ni coach Calib, ipadayon lang niya ang iyang kakugihan ug gibuhat nga sakto. Daghan pa na siya matudloan nga mga pareha nako. Buotan kaayo ug dako kaayo ko og utang kabubut-on niya mao nang mapasalamaton kaayo ko niya. Kon asa ko karon, usa siya sa dako og natampo dili lang sa akong basketball career hasta sad sa akong pagkatawo.”

Heruela shares the same sentiments.

“Coach Calib has been a tremendous help in my basketbal career, especially during my colleges days,” said Heruela. “He was patient in helping me work on my skills, early morning and at night every day. He is instrumental in my becoming the professional basketball player that I am now today.”

“Coach Calib taught me the importance of discipline, working hard, and believing in myself. He is also a very prayerful person, whose faith is God is strong,” Heruela added. “Coach Calib, I know you have been an underrated and underappreciated coach for a long time now because not a lot of people know the importance you bring into the game, night in and night out. But just like what you taught me, just keep that faith and work hard, and one day you’ll be rewarded of what you deserve.”

For all the things that he has done behind the scenes, Gawangon felt a deep sense of pride and fulfillment within him knowing that he was able to make some noise despite working in silence.

“The transformation of lives of players who were with me and see them successful in their respective fields, that’s my greatest achievement,” said Gawangon while walking down memory lane with a grateful heart.

“My heart exudes in gratitude for all the people who are with me and have supported me all the way to becoming a basketball coach. Without them, the molding of me as a coach would not be possible,” Gawangon ended.