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So you now enjoy strategizing Xs and Os?
I still like playing more. Masarap ang player. I think I made a difference for my team whenever I played. My contributions weren’t really big on paper, because I tend to be the first one to sacrifice and support the superstars like Alvin Patrmonio. I also know my limits. I'm not 6'8", for one. I'm more of a team player. In coaching, it's the leadership that's required. It's two different things actually: It's leadership and teaching. But I like that process of making my players work hard every single day in practice. I just feel very comfortable working for San Beda and the players that we have. In my opinion though, the most interesting aspect of the job is the recruitment of new players. It's very different now because you get a lot of kids coming out of high school. You have to scout them, see their tendencies and all, and talk to the parents, their representatives or guardians. Who to get, who not to get. What if you have two good players for one spot? Who's in, who's out. Those questions make it interesting.

Is it harder to deal with the pros than with the varsity players?
The pros, they're older, they have money. So if you don't get the right players, may mga pasaway. In college ball, it's easy. Everybody's starting. They want to shine. They want to start a career, so pretty much everybody is on their toes. Mas malaki ang complacency sa pros kaysa rito. Sa pros, you have a house, a car, girls, the life, the money, playing time, sometimes you're a star player. But sometimes it gets to you, and if you don't know how to handle fame, there comes a tendency to be complacent. Here, kung complacent ka, may high school player na darating, and immediately tapos ka na. You're out.

So there's more pressure in college ball?
Anywhere you go, the pressure of winning is always there. In the pros, once you sign that contract, the pressure starts. Same thing here; once you accept the job, the pressure starts. You have to eat pressure for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That's the way it is. It's part of being competitive and being a winner.

You know how some players play the field. So are they off limits to your daughters?
When it comes to my daughters, I warn them. You make sure that you won't end up with someone who's there just to play around with you. Make sure he has good intentions. I've been there at one time. And my daughters (including sportscaster Miakka Lim) are pretty. So I warn them. Just make sure he takes you seriously and doesn’t take you for a ride.