Coaching in paradise

When you mention The Maldives, what springs to mind is a postcard picture of deep blue lagoons, vast beaches and endless coral reefs. This paradise in the Indian Ocean is made up of 26 atolls around over a thousand islands of coral. It’s a dream destination for many Filipinos, a nature-friendly, exotic vacation spot. So when you mention The Maldives, you think of nature, sunshine and sky. No, you don’t think of being indoors. You don’t think of basketball at all. 

Yet, this is coach Eric Samson’s current address. Samson, the former national coach of Vietnam and a scout for Thailand’s basketball federation, was in the news last year for leading the Philippine National Police to the UNTV Cup championship, and bringing the Responders’ other officer-laden squad to a runner-up finish in the succeeding Executive Cup. Samson is coaching the Kings Basketball Club owned by Sri Lankan Ambassador Mundhu Shareef in the Maldives Basketball Association tournament being played throughout February. Games are played at the Social Civic Center in the capital city of Malé. The Kings, under Samson, won their opening game against the Raptors club last Feb. 6.

“It’s hard, but it’s a great opportunity, and challenging for me to coach and teach and impart basketball in this new chapter of my coaching career here in Maldives,” Samson told The STAR. “The players are working every day, so at night is the only time we could practice. They have skills, but the continuity to grow and exposure to high-level play are among the things that they need to address.”

The Kings were previously coached by Jay Cambarihan, an assistant of San Sebastian Stags coach Egay Macaraya. Marvin Espiritu, a Filipino based in The Maldives, has been responsible for bringing his countrymen there to raise the level of hoops. The people are friendly and used to foreign visitors. But as with all Filipinos working abroad, longing for home is a factor to reckon with.

“I am amazed by this country in terms of the clean sea and nice beaches everywhere. I haven’t been able to go around the best resorts, but in Malé City, you can see already the beauty of Maldives,” Samson shares. “Loneliness for my family is one big factor and feeling that I had to overcome. But the people and the club and management are so supportive and the players have a great attitude. I got a very warm reception.”

Because basketball is not a primary sport in The Maldives, it’s been no day at the beach for Samson. He has had to devise a system to accelerate the team’s growth despite the limited time to prepare. Drills, a lot of repetition and constant explaining were his main tools. His adjustment for the players was to relentlessly push them and motivate the team, introduce new concepts on offense and defense, and develop scouting and video viewing presentations for the team. He opened their eyes to be more aware and observant, and most of all, instilled in them belief in their inner greatness. So far, the players have grown by leaps and bounds. Coach Eric has, unknown to many, contributed to the development of the game in so many places. The Philippines is crowded with great coaches and players, with an overflow of talent. So many seek their fortunes abroad, where they can fulfill their passions, find an advocacy, and support their families. It is not easy, but basketball will always be a fickle mistress.

“Every team is a challenge,” says Samson, pondering at the varied places his career has taken him. “You have to learn the culture, find a way to communicate that they will respond to, understand their background, what can and can’t be said. I hope I also represent the Philippines well wherever I go. I love the game. I go where basketball calls me.”

At least, for this go-around, the contract is short and the job isn’t that far away. With all his connections, Coach Eric doesn’t know where he will end up next. He’s hoping basketball gives him an assignment at home, at least for a while. In the meantime, this writer hopes he adds another championship to his resumé, and earns a well deserved chance to sample paradise, waiting just outside his window.