Imagine those TNT and Gilas teams without him.
Larry Fonacier dropped on one knee, pounded the parquet floor a couple of times, then threw both his arms in the air as Gilas Pilipinas overcame tormentor South Korea at the Mall of Asia Arena in 2013.
It was one of the iconic moments in their runner-up finish in the FIBA Asia Championship which gave the Philippines a safe passage to the World Cup for the first time in decades.
That moment almost didn’t happen had the former PBA Finals MVP decided to pursue a different path.
In an Instagram video posted by a local brand on Monday, the seven-time PBA Champion was asked what his profession would be if he were not a basketball player.
“A school teacher,” he said.
Surprised? No? Fonacier explained he loves teaching, be it on the basketball court or off of it.
But while his desire to share his knowledge to the younger generation is admirable, a huge chunk of Filipino teachers, who have been calling for legislated wage hikes and better classroom conditions, would probably disagree with what he said next.
“It's a very relaxed environment,” he said.
Now that he’s team manager of the NLEX Road Warriors, it seems likely that Fonacier would get a coaching position sooner than later.
(GM)