- 10/10/2023
Our guest today is a proven winner wherever he goes.
From producing champion teams in the PBA and in the NCAA, Alfrancis Chua brought his impeccable vision to a grander stage guiding Gilas Pilipinas to victory in the 19th Asian Games in China.
Let's go all out on this story with the man himself.
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From producing champion teams in the PBA and in the NCAA, Alfrancis Chua brought his impeccable vision to a grander stage guiding Gilas Pilipinas to victory in the 19th Asian Games in China.
Let's go all out on this story with the man himself.
Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/
Follow our social media pages:
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines
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SportsTranscript
00:00 Our guest today is a proven winner wherever he goes.
00:03 From producing champion teams in the PBA,
00:06 ang dame, in the PBA, in the NCAA,
00:08 even as far as the PSL back with Petron in the ABL
00:12 when he helped with ALA Filipinas.
00:13 Wherever he goes, this man, Alfrancis Chua,
00:16 brought his impeccable vision to a grander stage,
00:19 guiding GILAS Filipinas now to victory
00:22 in the 19th Asian Games, helping us get the gold medal
00:25 after 61 long years.
00:28 Let's go all out on this story with the man of the hour,
00:31 trending on Twitter.
00:32 He's back inside the studio.
00:35 It was supposed to be a Zoom.
00:36 Brother, thank you so much.
00:37 You said thank you.
00:39 - Thank you, thank you.
00:39 - I just want to clarify, just so you know.
00:41 Are you still drinking?
00:42 - Of course.
00:43 (laughs)
00:44 Of course, of course.
00:45 - First of all, congratulations.
00:47 - Thank you.
00:48 Thank you, Andre, thank you.
00:49 - Have you rested already?
00:50 I know it was tiring.
00:51 You must be exhausted.
00:52 - Yeah, the flight got delayed, delayed, delayed.
00:55 So I arrived home around 2.30 in the morning.
00:59 That was Sunday, early in the morning.
01:02 So I rested a little, and then I was in the office on Monday.
01:06 Of course, interview, and then after my office,
01:09 we had a press conference.
01:10 - Yeah, yeah, yeah.
01:11 - Interview, interview there.
01:12 And, but, you have to forget that.
01:15 It's over now.
01:16 - Sir, I know it was so tiring.
01:19 You were also at the presser yesterday.
01:21 You were saying how tiring it was.
01:23 And no one can take that anymore.
01:24 It was so sudden and everything.
01:25 You were in the next row.
01:26 Tell us about that.
01:27 How's the whole Asian Games experience?
01:29 - I think that's my fourth or fifth day
01:33 because of the stress that we got
01:35 that we have to walk every time that we got a game,
01:39 like 150 meters, and then we have to walk all the way there.
01:43 It's hard to get inside.
01:45 It's like an airport, like this.
01:47 You have to put your bag.
01:48 The ID will light up.
01:49 No ID.
01:51 Our ID, we can sit at the bench,
01:52 but we can't go to the dugout.
01:54 - Huh? - Yeah.
01:55 - You can sit at the bench, but you can't go to the dugout?
01:57 - Yeah, it's confusing.
01:59 And then Chairman Ricky and Vice Chairman Bobby,
02:02 who are with us,
02:04 they don't have accreditation.
02:06 They're up there.
02:07 That's why we won.
02:08 They're close to heaven.
02:09 (laughing)
02:11 But the first game, both of them,
02:14 they watched inside the dugout.
02:17 Because if they showed up,
02:18 they would be shown outside the dugout.
02:20 - Chairman Ricky Vargas and Mr. Bobby Rosario?
02:22 - Yes, they were inside the dugout.
02:24 They were there.
02:25 I wish I could bring popcorn so I could play.
02:27 (laughing)
02:27 Because they were there inside.
02:29 And after that,
02:31 when it was over,
02:33 they were given a ticket that was nice.
02:35 - I know it was just hearing a lot of stories.
02:37 I know a lot happened.
02:39 We were talking.
02:40 A lot of things happened and everything.
02:42 My question is, is it worth it with that gold medal?
02:44 - Of course.
02:45 You know that gold medal,
02:47 it takes away all your fatigue.
02:49 It takes away everything.
02:50 From the start, before we left,
02:53 the lineup became invisible.
02:56 From 60, it became 37.
02:58 Suddenly, it disappeared.
02:59 It became six.
03:00 (laughing)
03:01 Or the players were at the airport.
03:03 The four of us were still there.
03:05 We were taking out our suitcases.
03:07 So we were flying there.
03:08 Just a few of us.
03:10 It's a good thing it was approved.
03:12 So last minute, we were able to fly.
03:14 Tim, you can really see his stress.
03:16 And then, I wanted an advanced party
03:19 to fix everything there.
03:20 When we got there,
03:22 we had to practice right away
03:23 so the kids could join in.
03:25 When we went there, it's like a community basketball.
03:27 You know, it's like
03:28 we don't have a ball.
03:30 How are we supposed to play?
03:31 Jack and Poy and Taguan.
03:33 We don't have a ball.
03:34 - You don't have a ball?
03:34 - Yes, we don't.
03:35 So, what?
03:38 So we were hoping to play a touch-tiana or something.
03:42 So all the stress.
03:43 And Tim kept on telling me that
03:45 we were bound to fail.
03:47 I said, "What if we don't?"
03:48 "What if we win?"
03:49 - Oh, I remember that conversation.
03:51 Our correspondent, Pauline Versoza,
03:52 was at that pressure.
03:53 I don't know if we have the sot.
03:54 But I looked for it.
03:57 Coach Tim said, "At the pressure, it's impossible."
04:00 You called him and said, "It's impossible.
04:01 "We can't do it."
04:02 You said, "What if we do?"
04:03 - Yeah. - "What if we do?"
04:04 - Yeah.
04:05 - Did you ever envision this would happen?
04:07 Or did you just think of what would happen?
04:10 - No, because of the--
04:11 - What things consider that?
04:12 - No, because of the players, see.
04:13 You know, Andre,
04:15 the way I call the players,
04:17 each and every one of them,
04:19 Fajardo is in Cebu.
04:22 He just arrived, I called him.
04:23 He's still at the airport.
04:24 I called him back.
04:25 Scotty will fly going to Japan.
04:27 I called him back.
04:29 So, all of them,
04:30 the others,
04:32 the four that weren't played,
04:34 what I did, I called them
04:36 at last, the replacement.
04:37 That was 11.30 at night.
04:39 And they have to be in Inspired in Laguna.
04:41 - Monday morning, though.
04:42 - Yeah, at 8.15, 8.20 in the morning.
04:44 Because they're alone at 9.00.
04:46 They're in a hurry.
04:47 Last Saturday, same thing.
04:48 They arrived at that time.
04:50 So, that's why I'm so positive
04:52 because I see the kids, the players,
04:55 are willing to sacrifice,
04:56 willing to play.
04:58 They didn't ask me,
04:59 "Oh, are we going to get something there?"
05:02 - No, no one asked you?
05:03 - No, no one.
05:05 No one.
05:05 No one asked me,
05:07 "Um, uh, are we going to get allowance?"
05:10 Or like this and like that.
05:11 No one.
05:12 - They're afraid of you.
05:14 - No, no one.
05:15 - You know, you have won, as I said earlier,
05:17 in PSL.
05:17 Some people don't remember that.
05:19 When you made Petron the champion.
05:20 There was a year when you made Petron the champion
05:22 in PSL, in volleyball.
05:23 At the same time, Alab, when you took in,
05:25 right, when Jimmy Lapag and then Justin Brownlee,
05:29 I remember that.
05:30 Alab Philippines won the title.
05:32 Then in PBA, of course, that one year,
05:34 all SMC teams won.
05:35 San Miguel, Ginebra.
05:37 Where does this rank?
05:38 Out of all, let's run them.
05:39 Right?
05:40 - Let's run them, yeah.
05:41 - Yeah.
05:42 Where does this, where will you put this?
05:43 - You know, all the championships and,
05:46 all of them have specials, right?
05:48 - Yeah.
05:49 - But--
05:50 - BBA, Ginebra.
05:51 - That's very special to me.
05:53 Because you guys tried it too, right?
05:56 But this, this championship,
05:58 the one we won with gold,
05:59 you'll forget everything.
06:01 Really, you'll be amazed.
06:04 How did that happen?
06:05 Down by 20 points.
06:07 Last two something minutes, down by nine.
06:09 We won.
06:10 You know?
06:11 So, you'll be so proud because of the players.
06:15 And, we just gonna, the four of us,
06:20 Mr. Ricky Vargas, Bobby Rosales,
06:23 and Willie Marcial and I,
06:25 we'll be drinking.
06:27 We'll laugh.
06:29 Because we talked about all our hardships
06:31 so that everything will be over.
06:32 - Of course, you are also,
06:34 you have a lot of roles.
06:35 Now, you are the SMC sports director.
06:38 Of course, you answer to Boss Arace, Ramon.
06:40 - Of course.
06:41 - What did he say?
06:42 Where does he play?
06:43 What was his role?
06:44 How big?
06:45 Answer that question.
06:45 Hold on, hold that thought.
06:46 Let's take a quick break.
06:48 And we're still talking, going all out
06:50 with Gila's Filipinas team manager
06:52 in the 19th Asian Games,
06:53 leading us to the gold medal,
06:54 San Miguel Corporation sports director,
06:56 the one and only,
06:57 Coach Al Francis Chua.
06:58 Stay with us only here on SportsZ,
06:59 on CNN Philippines,
07:00 where we go all out for the day's top sports stories.
07:03 We'll be right back with Al Francis Chua.
07:05 Welcome back to SportsZ,
07:06 coming to you on CNN Philippines.
07:07 And as you can see, again, our guest,
07:09 the visionary behind Gila's,
07:11 their historic Asian run,
07:13 SMC sports director, Mr. Al Francis Chua.
07:16 My hanging question before the break to you was,
07:18 Mr. Ramon S. Ang,
07:20 our Boss Arace,
07:20 where does he fit in?
07:22 I know he's a boss,
07:23 but how big of a help was he
07:26 during this whole Asian Games gold medals?
07:28 - You know, everybody knows he's my mentor.
07:30 I'm not gonna be the manager of Gila's
07:34 if he didn't allow me.
07:35 So I asked his permission first.
07:37 Oh, okay, Al.
07:38 Okay.
07:39 Before we left,
07:40 (speaking in foreign language)
07:44 He said, "Everything."
07:48 (speaking in foreign language)
07:50 You cannot use your credit card.
07:52 Visa, they're gonna ask why.
07:53 (speaking in foreign language)
07:57 They're used (speaking in foreign language)
08:02 Arace, that moment,
08:06 (speaking in foreign language)
08:08 From, (speaking in foreign language)
08:13 Because of Arace.
08:14 Arace told me,
08:15 (speaking in foreign language)
08:19 Steak, lobster, everything.
08:23 - After this,
08:24 (speaking in foreign language)
08:28 (speaking in foreign language)
08:31 (laughing)
08:32 So Boss Arace,
08:34 no, actually, every game,
08:36 (speaking in foreign language)
08:38 Al, (speaking in foreign language)
08:43 Chairman Ricky, I'm gonna tell him,
08:45 (speaking in foreign language)
08:49 (speaking in foreign language)
08:55 So I told him.
08:57 (speaking in foreign language)
09:01 Again, I'm not gonna be here (speaking in foreign language)
09:06 (speaking in foreign language)
09:10 He's behind me always.
09:16 (speaking in foreign language)
09:18 - You know what?
09:19 (speaking in foreign language)
09:23 I just wanna read some,
09:26 how you help them personally.
09:28 From CJ Perez.
09:29 He told me, he was on the show, Zoom, last night.
09:32 (speaking in foreign language)
09:35 Bad game.
09:36 (speaking in foreign language)
09:40 Kevin Alas was your pick.
09:56 Be part of the team.
09:57 Well, for me personally,
09:58 I had a bad game against Iran.
10:00 (speaking in foreign language)
10:05 A lot more encouraging words after we won the gold.
10:07 (speaking in foreign language)
10:09 To hear these words from these players,
10:11 what's your reaction?
10:14 - It's my job.
10:15 As, you know, different kind of managers,
10:18 but me, I'm really attached to the players.
10:20 You know, I was a coach before.
10:23 So I can see if they're depressed,
10:26 if they're, you know, (speaking in foreign language)
10:28 because they committed a mistake.
10:30 And that's my role.
10:31 You know, I approach them,
10:32 I understand, I can feel because (speaking in foreign language)
10:36 - Where did you get that from?
10:37 Or was there a particular coach (speaking in foreign language)
10:40 or a person, the way you approach
10:42 and your mindset towards Coach Tim Koon,
10:44 the players, the way you talk to them?
10:47 - No, (speaking in foreign language)
10:49 It's within, because maybe I love the sport so much.
10:52 And I love to motivate not only players,
10:56 even my office mates, even my friends, you know?
11:00 (speaking in foreign language)
11:03 - China, that game, we're down 20.
11:06 Did you see that?
11:08 Did you believe?
11:09 (speaking in foreign language)
11:13 I think you were the, you're Filipino-Chinese.
11:15 I think you're the only Chinese who was happy after you.
11:16 (speaking in foreign language)
11:20 So, you know, when they're missing shots
11:26 or (speaking in foreign language)
11:30 But that game, (speaking in foreign language)
11:35 Okay?
11:38 (speaking in foreign language)
11:42 So, you're talking about a miracle win.
11:45 It's a miracle win.
11:47 (speaking in foreign language)
11:51 (laughing)
11:54 So, (speaking in foreign language)
11:57 (laughing)
11:59 No joke, no joke.
12:00 So, (speaking in foreign language)
12:02 You saw it in social media.
12:04 He was really mad.
12:06 - And it was, you know, (speaking in foreign language)
12:08 At home in China, they were up 20.
12:11 (speaking in foreign language)
12:15 Last time you were on the show,
12:20 (speaking in foreign language)
12:22 I remember you said, "Pray for us."
12:23 (speaking in foreign language)
12:27 All the viewers.
12:28 (speaking in foreign language)
12:29 What do you wanna tell all the fans,
12:31 all those who believe, all those who,
12:33 (speaking in foreign language)
12:37 And a special mention is my sister, Junelle.
12:52 You know, every time we got a game,
12:54 I'm gonna text her, "Please pray for my team."
12:57 And like this.
12:58 (speaking in foreign language)
13:02 - I know we have to take a really quick break
13:10 (speaking in foreign language)
13:11 But thank you for being here again.
13:15 LA Tenorio, quickly, LA Tenorio is back.
13:17 Your thoughts? - Yes.
13:18 You know, I'm happy.
13:19 (speaking in foreign language)
13:23 I'm just back.
13:24 (speaking in foreign language)
13:28 - Here on the show,
13:29 (speaking in foreign language)
13:31 and also team manager with GILAS Pilipinas
13:34 in the 19th Asian Games,
13:35 gold medalist in the Asian Games,
13:38 Mr. Al Francis Chua.
13:40 (speaking in foreign language)
13:41 Will you be team manager again
13:43 for GILAS Pilipinas next year?
13:45 (speaking in foreign language)
13:48 (laughing)
13:51 (speaking in foreign language)
13:55 - SMC Sports Director,
14:03 team manager of the Philippine team
14:05 in the 19th Asian Games that won,
14:07 (speaking in foreign language)
14:10 one and only Al Francis Chua.
14:12 Meanwhile, LA Tenorio gearing up for showtime.
14:15 The PBS Ironman goes to work
14:16 ahead of this much anticipated comeback.
14:18 That story when we return.
14:19 You're watching Sports Test only here
14:21 on CNN Philippines.
14:22 (speaking in foreign language)
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