Ex-Cebuano pro cager gets NCAA coaching break

Sports

A BIG break has been given to a former Cebuano pro player.

Roberts Labagala, a native of Talisay City, Cebu, has been named as the new head coach of the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the country’s oldest collegiate league.

Labagala made a name for himself while playing for the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers. In college, he suited up for the University of the East Red (UE) Warriors in the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines.

The speedy playmaker joined the Philippine Basketbal Association (PBA) Draft in 2010 and was named as the 12th overall pick by the Barangay Ginebra Kings.

Labagala played in the PBA until 2015. After leaving the pro league, Labagala founded Passion Sports, a program designed for aspiring players.

Labagala was one of five candidates shortlisted by San Sebastian to replace Arvin Bonleon. Labagala’s fellow former PBA player Rodney Santos, Raymond Valenzona, Jeffrey Perlas, and Joe Silva were the other candidates.

At 40 years old, Labagala was the youngest among the coaching candidates.

Labagala has extensive coaching experience as he previously served as an assistant coach at UE. He also worked with Josh Reyes fot Gilas Boys, Jeff Napa at National University, and Jeff Perlas at Centro Escolar University.

Labagala is also a current assistant coach at Starhorse-Basilan in Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

With Labagala joining the Stags, there are now two Cebuano head coaches in the NCAA as Lapu-Lapu City-native Joph Clepoas is coaching the University of Perpetual Help System Junior Altas.(CCM)