Jaworski: Baby Dalupan is greatest coach of all time

Jaworski: Baby Dalupan is greatest coach of all time
Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Wednesday, July 4, 2012 · 11:06 pm

Despite the advances in the game of basketball, Robert Jaworski still believes that the game is more art than science.

“Iba na ang basketball ngayon. It entails a lot of hard work, may scouting and scientific na ang approach, pero hindi pa rin ako nananiwala sa science pagdating sa basketball,” said Jaworski.

Jaworski cited as an example the legendary Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan, who coached him at University of the East. Jaworski said he considers Dalupan, his mentor, the greatest PBA coach of all time. “People say that Dalupan was lucky to have star-studded teams in Crispa and Great Taste, but the truth is, it’s harder for a coach to handle 12 spoiled brats on his team and Dalupan was able to do that well.”

The coach was known for shuffling his lineups from game to game and giving all players a chance to shine. Even though Jaworski ended up battling Dalupan as part of Toyota in the PBA, he installed a similar style to that of his mentor when he became playing coach of Ginebra.

Dalupan, who still holds the PBA record for most championships, was feted on Tuesday night at UE, and Jaworski was among those on hand to pay tribute.

For Jaworski, lessons he learned from Dalupan’s mentorship played a big part in his coaching philosophy.

“Hindi naman yan nadadaan sa pagandahan ng sapatos o papormahan. Ganoon din sa coaching. Kung ang mga players mo naniniwala sa iyo, malayo ang maabot ng koponan niyo. Mas malaki ang tsansa ng team na naglalaro ng sama-sama,” said Jaworski.