MBPL's Bataan Risers duke it out in paintball

MANILA, Philippines – One of the challenges of a long Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League season is keeping everyone focused on the task at hand, which is to win games and if possible compete, for a championship.

For the 12-1 Bataan Risers, head coach Jojo Lastimosa in particular, it is about constantly training and working on the team’s chemistry and bonding.

This past Wednesday, the Risers engaged in a paintball challenge at Alpaldi Compound in Antipolo. The Risers were divided into two groups with coaches Lastimosa, Vic Pablo, Jonas Villanueva and Ervin Sotto mixing with the players in black and green squads.

After more than two hours of “combat,” the black team, led by Lastimosa and Sotto, emerged triumphant, 3-0.

“When I was playing with Alaska, we engaged in a paintball competition,” quipped Lastimosa. “There is a lot to learn in this activity. Like in basketball, you have to make split-second decisions and to trust your teammates. And that is a key result area that you want to see transferred to the basketball court. But the main thing is for everyone to come out of their shell and bond.”

Lastimosa isn’t the only first-timer for this type of unique challenge. Assistant coach Sotto, who played under Lastimosa (who was an assistant to Tim Cone) in Alaska, has engaged in this a few times. 

“Malaking bagay kasi very competitive yung paintball,” noted Sotto. “May mga tasks na kailangan gawin as individuals and as a team. You have to fulfill those tasks. Puwedeng i-translate ito sa basketball. For example, sa basketball kung job mo to stop yung scorer ng isang team you have to do it. So ganyan dito. If you have to provide covering fire importante yun kasi kung hindi, matatamaan yung kakampi mo na sumusugod.”

For veteran Gary David, it wasn’t only teamwork and communication that are his takeaways from the challenge. 

“Medyo maliit na approximation ito sa mga na-experience ng mga sundalo natin,” pointed out the man they call “El Granada,” adding that it was his third time to engage in such an activity. “So, mas meron ka appreciation to what they do. Ang hirap di ba? Kailangan mo kumilos kahit may bumabaril sa yo. Kasi pag di ka kumilos, baka may mangyari sa iyo na hindi maganda. Definitely, tumaas ang respeto ko sa kanila.”

The Risers next take on MPBL side Caloocan Supremos on November 27 at the Batangas City Coliseum.