NEW University of California Riverside tactician Mike Magpayo is open to the idea of coaching in the Philippines in the future.
“During my visit in 2015, I was able to watch two Gilas national team practices when coach Tab Baldwin was the coach and attended a TNT practice as well as an Alaska Aces game,” Magpayo told Malaya-Business Insight via email yesterday.
“Met coach Alex Compton (former Alaska coach in the pro league). I appreciate the game in the Philippines, would love to assist and be a part of it in the future,” he added.
Magpayo, 40, has also gone to the Philippines in 2008 His parents, Lito and Ninet, serve as his motivation.
“My parents are from Pampanga. They met in the Philippines when they both worked at ABS-CBN as young employees there,” said Magpayo.
“They are special courageous people who moved to the States and created a life for our family, five Magpayo children. They are my role models and driving force for all I do.”
Like his coaching inspiration, multi-titled Fil-Am coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat in the NBA, Magpayo hopes to inspire other coaches as the first pure Filipino and Asian to call the shots for a US NCAA Division I school.
“I am feeling busy moving this team and program forward and working to be the leader our group needs during this historic time. I am very excited to coach this group of student-athletes, we have a special high character group. We are also big, tough, and have a lot of returning talent on the team already. It is exciting to take over a team that can win games immediately,” related Magpayo.
