First-time head coach Ged Austria had a staunch reminder for his UST Growling Tigresses as they cruised to victory in the opening game of the WMPBL.
There was a lot to ruminate for first-time head coach Ged Austria as he had the opportunity to coach the UST Growling Tigresses in the inaugural Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) Invitational, leading them to an 82-67 win over the Discovery Perlas at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Sunday.
That is, apart from it being his first foray as a head coach with Haydee Ong serving as commissioner of the league, the game packed a lot of weight than just being the opening game of an offseason tournament for the Growling Tigresses.
For most women’s basketball players, it was a hopeful start that finally, the Filipina basketball player had somewhere to go after the collegiate ranks.
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Serving as a prelude before the WMPBL goes professional later this year, the Invitational includes four collegiate teams that will strut their stuff against more veteran and experienced teams.
Despite showing their hand early with the big win over Discovery Perlas, who also featured their former players like Tantoy Ferrer and Nikki Villasin, and UST coaching staff member Allana Lim, Austria said that his players needed reminding that it was something that would be big for UST’s basketball future.
"Always kong sinasabi sa mga players ko na don’t take this opportunity for granted. Kasi yun nga, nasabi ko nga kanina, iba yung kalaban namin, hindi collegiate. So, again, bibihira lang kasi yung college team na makakalaban ay ex-pro or mga dating nagre-represent ng Philippine team. Puro mga veterans, grabe yung experience,” Austria said after the game.
“[Yung] makakalaban ninyo, yung iba masasabi niyo na medyo tapos na yung prime yung career, pero nagkaron din sila ng kabuhayan, tapos dito talaga sila pupulot ng maraming lessons eh,” he added.
True enough, the Growling Tigresses remained tested even as they seized the advantage thanks to a second quarter where they outscored their foes, 21-10. This came even with the likes of basketball veterans Lim and FEU head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy on the other end of the court.
But more than their basketball experience, Austria said that his players would do well to look at them outside of the hardcourt as well, especially when it comes to the values that are important as a player and as a person.
“Di lang sa laro, di lang sa gulangan [yung matututunan nila]. Pag may kilala kung gano kasipag, or pag nakakausap nila yung ate nila sa labas, for example, sa Discovery, sila Ate Tantoy, Ate Nikki, sila Coach Allana, nakikita rin nila na hindi lahat nasa basketball court,” said Austria.
“Dun nila makukuha yung values and mag-grow sila outside of the basketball court.”
Among those who treated the game as a sponge was incoming UST second-year guard Karylle Sierba.
After a stellar rookie year where she finished runner-up for the Rookie of the Year award, she’s eager to learn more and make herself a better player moving on. But, she’s also happy to see herself being able to compete with the best of them.
“Sobrang saya po na isa ako sa mga naglalaro ngayon dito sa WMPBL. Sobrang happy lang kasi nakakasabay ako sa mga beterano. Yung kumpyansa lang lagi sa sarili,” she said.
Sierba finished with a team-high 14 points along with one rebound and one assist to lead them in the win. She was also a +21 in efficiency.
Foreign Student Athlete Isioma Onianwa backstopped Sierba’s efforts with 13 points and nine boards.
Lim paced Discovery Perlas in the losing effort 17 points, nine boards, and four assists.