INSTEAD of helping strategize for their team at the height of their campaign months ago, two assistant coaches of a collegiate basketball squad were focused on their “ticketing business.”
A source told Buzzer Beater that the two assistant coaches were in constant contact with their team’s fans to sell tickets allocated to them – with patron tickets sold to as high as P12,000 each while a seat behind the basketball ring for P5,000 each.
“Days before ng mga laban nila, makikita mo iyang dalawang iyan na busy sa mga cellphones nila. Akala mo may ka-text lang pero iyon pala nakikipagnegosasyon na sa bentahan ng ticket,” the source said.
“Ang tickets na ibinebenta nila ay iyong mga allocated sa teams nila. Siyempre madaming prospect buyers dahil nagpapanalo naman iyong team nila kaya tiba-tiba sila.
“Akala noong dalawa secret lang iyong monkey business nila pero may isang buyer nila ang nag-screenshot noong palitan ng text at sinend doon sa coach nila kaya si coach galit na galit.
“Nanggagalaiti talaga si coach noong malaman niya kasi hindi lang pala iyong tickets para sa championship games nila ang ninenegosyo noong dalawa kundi simula pa noong elimination round.
“Alam mo naman ang pinanggagalingan ni coach. Naturingang beterano iyong dalawang assistant coaches. Imbes na magbigay ng inputs sa game plans nila ay kung anu-ano inaasikaso.
“Pasalamat iyong dalawang assistant coaches na iyon at hindi ganun ka-bad trip si coach noon, kundi may paglalagyan sila. Sa laki ng braso ni coach, kayang-kaya silang gulpihin noon.”
But much has changed since the incident. The coach is now mentoring another team. One of the assistant coaches was promoted while the other, a former PBA player, remains an assistant.
PITY FOR PLAYER
A basketball coach can’t help but feel pity for his former player who is receiving maltreatment from his squad.
“Awang-awa si coach sa dati niyang player kasi parang iyong team pa niya ang nagda-down sa kanya imbes na dapat ay sila ang nagpo-protekta dito sa mga kontrobersya,” a source said.
“Sige, palagay na natin na totoo nga iyong tsismis kay player. Siyempre dapat iyong team na gumawa ng paraan, like damage control, pero doon pa sa kampo nila nanggagaling iyong kung anu-anong impormasyon na makakasira kay player.
“Kung may magagawa lang si coach, gustung–gusto niya matulungan si player. Lagi nga niya sinasabi, ‘Sayang iyong bata. Nami-misinterpret lang iyong bata pero alam ni coach mabait iyon.”/PN
