Watching him coach is already worth the price of admission in the FIBA World Cup.
For safety purposes, a water hose should be placed on the bench of the Dominican Republic in the FIBA World Cup. To put out, just in case, the fire that is coach Nestor Garcia.
While the Dominicanos played hard in their historic win over Italy, 87-82, on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, no one was probably more exhausted than Garcia. He was a ball of boundless energy and an entertaining show all by himself with how fiery, passionate, and animated he was from the sideline.
Midway into the third quarter, Angel Delgado completed an and-1 play to give the Dominican Republic a 52-44 lead. The springy forward flexed his arms and screamed. But guess who was more hyped up? Garcia, standing on the hardwood, leaped as high as he could and repeatedly pumped his arms. He was more charged up than Son Goku getting into Super Saiyan mode.
At times, he looked more like the Dominican Republic’s main cheerleader than its coach. Garcia's gyrations, gestures, and gregariousness were as fun as the game itself. He even hugged his players on the bench after key baskets, as if they were in a do-or-die championship match with the future of the world at stake. His assistant coach sometimes had to remind him to tone it down and not step on the court too much.
“He’s always been like that. We love our coach, a lot of credit goes to him. The whole [coaching] staff have supported us from the beginning,” said guard Andres Feliz, who exploded for 27 points on 7-of-10 shooting from long distance.
Main man Karl-Anthony Towns, who also put up 27 markers, said Garcia’s limitless energy is perfect.
“It’s about having fun, we’re in the World Cup! I know everyone thinks there’s pressure, they see all the cameras and everything but it’s about having fun. This is an amazing opportunity to represent your country at the highest stage in FIBA,” said Towns.
Whenever he wanted a player to get in the game, the 58-year-old Garcia didn’t only call the guy’s name, he emphatically pointed his finger at him. Like summoning his soul. When Italy sued for time in the fourth quarter, he ordered his players on the bench to stand up and acknowledge their teammates on the floor as they walked to the huddle. When the game continued, he carried on with his firebrand ways—slapping, high-fiving, whistling, barking, cajoling, Nestor Garcia-ing.
“All of us need that [energy]. We need that approach from the coach and we translate it on the court,” said Feliz.
Was Garcia overly enthusiastic at times? Sure. At one point, he was so attuned to firing up his players on the bench, he failed to see that there was already a short scuffle on the floor among several players. But he’s an image of a man who truly loves his job. Wearing a blue dry-fit polo shirt, black slacks, and white shoes, his casual look was in stark contrast with the all-business coat-and-tie attire of Italy coach Gianmarco Pozzecco.
But that doesn’t mean Garcia doesn’t know his business. The Argentina native has now steered the Dominican Republic to the top spot in Group A with back-to-back wins, including against the Philippines. He led the Dominicanos to their first-ever win against Italy, describing it as “unbelievable.” He perhaps knew the magnitude of the game, which would explain his passion from the sideline.
“We respect everybody, but we know that Italy is the favorite in our group,” said Garcia, who took the helm of the Dominican Republic only last September. “We play for our people. We play for our pride. We play for a lot of things. It’s not just about X and Os. Attitude is very important for us. We play together.”
When Towns was being interviewed by reporters after the game, Garcia walked by and shouted "CARLITO!” In Spanish, it means manly or man. He was not done hyping up his players. As if his gruff voice wasn’t already coarse enough. He then hugged Towns, who’s been a titan in the tournament.
“He’s an amazing coach, such a smart mind, such a great relationship guy too, he understands his players. He’s special. I’m super happy that we get to call him coach,” said Towns.
In the postgame press conference, it seemed like Garcia’s battery finally got drained. Or did he just turn it off? He was calm and pensive. The total opposite of his character during the contest. But he was generous with his thoughts. Still teaching. Still entertaining. Still inspiring.
“I wanna kill these guys every practice,” said Garcia, eliciting a laugh from Feliz, who sat beside him, and the reporters. “But I’m happy because I know we’re gonna play. They’re like my sons. They make me suffer every week, but when we play, they make me happy.”
“Don’t worry, we love you,” said Feliz.
Because who wouldn’t?