source: www.gmanetwork.com
Rajko Toroman runs on a Wednesday morning with
nothing but his thoughts. No earphones. No mp3 player. He hears the sound of
his own breathing. His mind is engrossed, not by the frenzy of traffic around
the Ortigas area, but by plans for his new PBA team, Barako Bull.
It’s the weekday drill for Toroman. Wake up at
four. Watch a Euroleague game. Then by six, head out the door and begin a daily
nine-kilometer run. As always, he runs for an hour.
On this midweek jog, Toroman’s brain is probably
working harder than his feet. He thinks about Wednesday’s scheduled practice
game against GlobalPort. He doesn’t think about the controversy surrounding his
title as PBA Head Coach. He thinks about the new players on his team, instead.
He imagines how JC Intal may finally unlock his potential. He pictures how
Barako Bull will benefit from Allein Maliksi’s versatility.
Someone inside a jeepney shouts, “Coach! Good
morning!”
The coach momentarily stops thinking about
basketball, smiles and waves back.
Toroman returns to his reflection. He knows
coaching Barako Bull won’t be easy. He has to convince PBA players to leap out
of their comfort zones. Spend more hours in practice. Spend less time
freelancing on the court. It’s the only way they will prosper under his watch. It’s
the only way his system will work.
“I love the offense, “ Mick Pennisi, Barako
Bull’s bearded veteran, admits. “It’s perfect for me because I’m an
unconventional big man. We just need time to make it work. I just need to tell
the younger guys that the system takes time.”
Toroman runs past the PhilSports Arena. He
inhales. He exhales. There’s a map of sweat on his shirt. He’s not gasping for
air at this point. He’s excited. He can’t wait for the tournament to start. He
can’t wait to show critics that the Toroman Way can succeed.
[Related: Barako Bull shake up roster, dealing
with four different teams in blockbuster]
Many believe Barako Bull greatly benefited from
the recent five-team, 10-player PBA mega-trade. I agree, albeit cautiously.
They brought in brand new players to beef up a brand new team. That team now
plays under a brand new coach. On one hand, the set-up exudes possibilities. On
the other hand, I worry about a cavalcade of untested variables.
“They say Filipino players have a hard time
succeeding internationally because of size,” Toroman, who is fully aware of his
widespread reputation as a drill sergeant, explains. “So if you’re smaller
compared to players from other countries, shouldn’t you train even harder than
the bigger guys? Right now, bigger players from other countries train harder
than the players here. I want to change that.”
Toroman can see the Ynares Center along Shaw
Boulevard from a distance. A scene from practice pops in his head: Moments
after he completed his first practice session with Barako Bull, Jonas
Villanueva started to experience muscle cramps. Sean Anthony approached
Villanueva and comforted his new teammate by saying, “Welcome to the Serbian
Military Camp.” Toroman heard Anthony’s quip and revealed a wry smile. -- GMA
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