(First of 9 parts)
The King James Version (KJV), derived from the book of Galatians 6:7-9, reads:
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not.”
And that could very well be, the life verse of all-time Philippine coaching great, Jose Layug Lipa, Jr. widely known in sporting circles as Coach Joe Lipa.
In the corporate setting where I came from, it was and is customary to address key executives in a corporate setting by their initials. It reinforces retention and easy identification.
As his biographer, mentor, and friend, I’ve come to address him as CJL, a term of endearment that reflects my respect for him.
Throughout CJL’s life, he only sowed seeds of unconditional love, which to many belied his gruff exterior.
What his heart beats for, is revealed through the writer’s ongoing journey of chronicling the memoirs of the last of the greatest amateur coaches in the land.
In one of my many meaningful conversations with the 80-year-old national treasure, he shared with me how he spends his day.
Like a devout Muslim, the faithful Christian prays three times a day. In the morning, noon, and night, he constantly strikes up loving conversations with our Creator covering topics about family, health, career, and the people whom he holds dear.
Then he goes about his tasks as a Team Consultant of PBA team, Terrafirma Dyip, keeping himself fit through exercise, and engaging with his tight circle frequently, in between his prayer life.
A stickler for discipline and routine, CJL is an inspiration for the younger generation in this regard, who has a problem sticking to one. “Matanda na ako, Peter.” He tells me in his deep, husky baritone, of which I have acquired a good impression. To keep him out of a funk I would respond; “Alam ko po yun, CJL. Obvious naman po.”
Then we would laugh together to keep our convo light all throughout, so he would remember details of his great coaching past in the light of my constant probing.
AGAINST THE GREATS
During his prime years, CJL was a misunderstood soul.
Pundits, peers, and critics alike drew notice of his fiery and intense demeanor on the bench, which were unheard of in the local basketball scene.
Casuals and jaded fans alike point to the cool-as-a-cucumber demeanor of Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan of Crispa-Floro fame, the fashion sense and savvy of Dante Silverio from the family-owned Toyota franchise, and Universal Textiles’ debonaire mentor Tommy Manotoc, the man who broke the Crispa-Toyota stranglehold in the PBA.
They were collective images of who a basketball coach was, at the highest level of play.
Coming from such a perspective, CJL was an anti-thesis of the top-flight mentors in Philippine basketball.
Then in terms of technical knowledge, he unknowingly created a wide chasm between him and the next local coach by studying the bodies of work of those greats who went before him.
Names like coaches Nilo Verona and Carlos Badion, whom CJL constantly picked their brains and who were unselfish enough to mentor the 80s new kid on the block.
Then by the time, he helmed the UP Fighting Maroons, CJL did beyond dismal on his maiden year as head tactician with a win to show and seven blowouts, that soon after his second season, he bounced back big time with a UAAP first runner-up finish.
Sensing his team was a step from being detached from a championship, CJL requested the UP Athletics Office for a trip to the US, to attend a coaching camp run by incoming 1984 USA Olympic coach, Bobby Knight of the University of Indiana Hoosiers.
Fortunately, Attorney Oscar G. Yabes was an MBA alum at Indianapolis, he wrote Coach Bobby Knight a note requesting for the part-time UP P.E. professor to be a part of his upcoming coaching summit that summer.
Funded by his generous Sigma Rho brethren, CJL set forth on a groundbreaking journey of a lifetime.
(To be continued)
(Sonny “Peter” Regalado Lopez, is currently a player development coach, marketing communications consultant, and book author. He collaborated with coach Joe Lipa in publishing Basketball 101, a book that aims to coach the coaches and provide reference material for Physical Education teachers in the K to 12 curriculum. The 53-year-old Lopez is a San Beda College, Manila, BSC Marketing Management graduate, who is currently working on publishing the memoirs of great coaches Joe Lipa, SJLC’s Larry Albano, and San Beda’s, late Edmundo ‘Ato’ Badolato, all in coffee table book format.)