Coach Britt takes hat off frontliners in unique way

CEBU, Philippines —  Decorated Cebuano basketball coach Britt Carlo Reroma will be doing something productive and meaningful that will somehow light up the hearts of frontline workers in these rough times.

And it’s in a unique manner.

In his own little way of giving back to the community, Reroma will treat the kids of frontline workers and first responders leading the country’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic with a free online training camp.

Reroma will be assisted by former San Beda and UP cager Jenkins Messina, ex-FEU standout Miko Roldan, former UP Fighting Maroon and Meralco Bolts assistant Xavy Nunag, and Kim Gandarosa in running the camp

“It is our way of giving back to our frontliners who are sacrificing a lot for our country,” said Reroma, who once guided the San Beda Red Cubs to three straight junior titles in the NCAA.

“They are our inspirations to do this for them because they show the true value of hard work, sacrifice and commitment to serve and help our country/community,” he added.

To be conducted via Zoom and Facebook, Reroma said their first session is scheduled at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 6.

“We are doing this every Saturday as part of our community basketball,” said the pride of Don Bosco. “Thank you to all our frontliners, our modern day heroes for sacrificing everything for all of us.”

Those who are interested to join may sign up through the Facebook page of Free Online Basketball Clinic for Frontliners’ Kids.

It’s a selfless act indeed for Reroma, the head coach of the Bulacan Kuyas in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League who just lost his main source of income following the cancellation of MPBL’s 4th season due to the global health crisis.

“I’m saddened because many will lose their jobs but I understand and accept it because the safety of everyone is the topmost priority,” said Reroma. “MPBL is part of our life now. We will just continue to pray that this pandemic will end soon for everyone to be back to their normal life.”

During his brief coaching stint in Cebu half a decade ago, Reroma made history when he piloted the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors to their first ever major basketball title in 57 years.

Under the guidance of Reroma, the Warriors stunned the mighty University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers in their epic best-of-three finals to clinch the championship of the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) season in 2015. It was USC’s first major basketball crown since 1958.

“It is a feeling of accomplishment that time when we won the championship for USC. It is a way of giving back to them because they are so good to me,” recalled Reroma. “I am always grateful to USC community from the administrators, alumni, students.”

When asked on the possibility of coaching back a school-based team in his beloved hometown in the future, Reroma replied:”I’m always open to that since Cebu is my home.”