ALOLINO NOT YET DONE PLAYING DESPITE COMMENCING COACHING CAREER

GELO Alolino insists that he isn't hanging up his sneakers just yet, though he also wouldn’t pass up opportunities that come his way.

"May mga dumarating na opportunities eh. Hindi naman ako nagmamadali and for me, I just want to make the right decisions in terms of my career. At the end of the day, basketball is still basketball," he told SPIN.ph.

PHOTO: Jerome Ascano

Since his contract with Terrafirma ended in November last year, Alolino has made himself busy, first by keeping himself in good condition and next, by taking on the new challenge as a coach.

The former National U guard was named head coach for Regis Marie College in Parañaque, leading the team to a runner-up finish in the inaugural season of the Universities and Colleges Premier League (UCPL) despite only handling the program for three months.

He has also taken a more active role as an assistant for his father Carlo Jason in AMA Basic Education, as the Aspirants won the Las Piñas City local qualifier to earn their place in the 2025 Smart-NBTC South Luzon Regional Championship.

PHOTO: NBTC/Jonly Verdad

Saying they were only out there for experience, AMA Basic Education nonetheless made a good account of itself, reaching the quarterfinals before falling to Enverga Wildcats, as well as St. Jude College Dasmariñas in the regional wildcard.

Nonetheless, Alolino is proud of how his players are holding their own regardless of the outcome of their games.

"I know coming from here, all I want is to share the experience sa players. Kumbaga sinasabi ko sa kanila na napagdaanan ko na ito dati and I want them to experience the same thing I had before. Pave the way lang para sa kanila," he said.

"Sobrang saya ko lang para sa kanila kasi nakaabot sila dito coming from a small school sa Las Piñas tapos nag-champion kami sa local. Lahat ng ito, we’re trying to be a sponge. Lahat ina-absorb namin para going to the next level, next leagues, ma-apply namin lahat, pero ine-enjoy lang namin yung moment."

What's next for Gelo, the player?

As for his own career, the 31-year-old said that he’s really studying his options, with him constantly receiving feelers from both the PBA and the MPBL.

But Alolino also knows that he’s not getting any younger, and after eight years in the PBA with stops in Phoenix, Blackwater, San Miguel, and the Dyip, he wants to make the right decision for his future.

"Pinag-iisipan ko talaga nang mabuti. I wanted to see all my options and look at what’s best for my career moving forward," he said.

"Pero sa ngayon, masaya tayo sa naituturo natin sa mga bata."

2025-03-22T06:10:19Z