Cleopas stresses fundamentals in Milcu Sports coaching clinic

0Shares

For Perpetual Junior ALTAs head coach Joph Cleopas, raw talent alone does not guarantee success. Instead, he believes that developing strong fundamentals from an early age is the key to becoming a successful basketball player.

During his session at the Milcu Sports Got Skills Coaching Clinic on March 30, Cleopas emphasized this philosophy, urging his fellow coaches to focus on the basics when training young athletes.

“Start Them Young”

“I always say that start them young kasi it should be a lifestyle if you’re hoping to become a basketball player,” Cleopas said. “Kailangan you start young talaga kasi if you start late na, ang bigat na ng trabaho mo and I think ‘yung opportunities as a player, bababa na lang if you’re not fundamentally sound.”

Cleopas highlighted that teaching fundamentals early—as young as grade school—lays the foundation for long-term success.

“As early as grade school, very important talaga ‘yun. Kaya kanina, ini-encourage ko ‘yung mga coaches na double time sila sa pagtuturo ng fundamentals kasi that’s the foundation.”

Cleopas emphasizes the importance of early training in developing basketball skills. [Milcu photo]

A Coaching Journey Across All Levels

Before taking the helm of the Junior ALTAs in the NCAA juniors basketball tournament, Cleopas gained valuable experience in various basketball programs.

He first served as a strength and conditioning coach and assistant coach for San Beda, helping the Red Lions win three straight NCAA titles from 2016 to 2018.
He later joined Aldin Ayo at UST for UAAP Season 82, further honing his coaching acumen.
Cleopas then moved to the PBA, working with Converge, where Ayo previously served as head coach.

His coaching journey across juniors, collegiate, and professional basketball has reinforced his belief that no matter the level of competition, strong fundamentals separate great players from the rest.

“Mahalaga talaga siya kasi it’s where everything starts. Sana every coach would understand that na hindi lang puro talent dapat, dapat turuan din ang mga bata ng basics.”

Through his Milcu Sports Coaching Clinic session, Cleopas hopes to inspire coaches to instill proper basketball fundamentals in young players, ensuring their long-term development and success.