Talking to LSGH coach Justin Tan

Breakdown Basketball spoke with La Salle Greenhills coach Justin Tan following his Under-12 teams’ conquest of Ateneo in the Invitational Tournament. It was his team's fourth straight Breakdown Basketball title.

BB: How challenging is it to teach young kids system-based basketball?

Coach Justin: It’s very challenging as we have to sell our system to the kids. We try to focus on skills training but during summer training camp, we really try to enhance their character also by playing consecutive games and hard practice sessions. This is where you see how they rise to challenges.

BB: Can you say that some of these kids will grow up to be high school or college basketball stars?

Coach Justin: Yes, but it will depend on their dedication. That’s why we are teaching them to embrace and trust the process. We let them understand the value of hard work works. There are no shortcuts. It is also depends on their maturity and level of understanding.

The biggest challenge is when parents teach kids to play out of the system, most parents want their kids to be the star player. Parents and coach relationship is the biggest challenge

BB: It isn’t easy to win a championship. But to defend it years and years – that’s tough. How do you do it?

Coach Justin: We do it for God, our source of our strength and talent. We do it for one another and the school. We do it for parents who sacrificed so much. I remind them the feeling of doing everything for the team compared to focusing on personal goals. Basketball is a team game and it is the collective effort will win the game.