Former NBA coach Byron Scott embraces new challenge with Fil-Am Nation Select | ABS-CBN
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Former NBA coach Byron Scott embraces new challenge with Fil-Am Nation Select
ABS-CBN News
Published Apr 01, 2025 09:02 PM PHT
Former NBA coach Byron Scott at the NBTC National Finals. Hero dela Peña, NBTC
Former NBA coach Byron Scott at the NBTC National Finals. Hero dela Peña, NBTCMANILA -- In his return to the Philippines, former NBA Coach of the Year Byron Scott has more to do, as opposed to merely being a visitor.
MANILA -- In his return to the Philippines, former NBA Coach of the Year Byron Scott has more to do, as opposed to merely being a visitor.
Scott is coaching Fil-Am Nation Select USA in its title defense bid in the 2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals.
Scott is coaching Fil-Am Nation Select USA in its title defense bid in the 2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals.
"We want to do back-to-back. We have a bunch of guys who love to compete," Scott said.
"We want to do back-to-back. We have a bunch of guys who love to compete," Scott said.
The Fil-American team is the first global team to win the NBTC Division 1 championship in the last year, and they say that this time around, their goal is no different -- to win.
The Fil-American team is the first global team to win the NBTC Division 1 championship in the last year, and they say that this time around, their goal is no different -- to win.
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Bringing back Gilas Pilipinas Youth member Caelum Harris and last year's Best Defensive Player Eian Lowe, Fil-Am Nation Select has every desire to keep the throne in the Philippine national 19-under championship presented by SM Supermalls and Playtime Cares.
Bringing back Gilas Pilipinas Youth member Caelum Harris and last year's Best Defensive Player Eian Lowe, Fil-Am Nation Select has every desire to keep the throne in the Philippine national 19-under championship presented by SM Supermalls and Playtime Cares.
The squad opened their title defense with an 85-72 rout of Top Flight Sports Canada in the seeding round on Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The squad opened their title defense with an 85-72 rout of Top Flight Sports Canada in the seeding round on Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Scott's hiring sure is a statement, but the 14-year NBA pro admitted that this partnership offers no guarantee especially with this setup being a unique one for his part.
Scott's hiring sure is a statement, but the 14-year NBA pro admitted that this partnership offers no guarantee especially with this setup being a unique one for his part.
"I have been coaching pretty young teams but this is definitely the youngest.," the 64-year-old tactician admitted, with his players all being 19-under – a far cry from his past NBA coaching jobs where he handled marquee names like Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, and Kyrie Irving.
"I have been coaching pretty young teams but this is definitely the youngest.," the 64-year-old tactician admitted, with his players all being 19-under – a far cry from his past NBA coaching jobs where he handled marquee names like Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, and Kyrie Irving.
Nonetheless, his gaudy resume is enough motivation for his players to not just win for him but also learn from him in this tilt which is also sponsored by MNL Kingpin, Molten, Pocari Sweat, Burlington, Swish, and Buffalo's Wings N' Things.
Nonetheless, his gaudy resume is enough motivation for his players to not just win for him but also learn from him in this tilt which is also sponsored by MNL Kingpin, Molten, Pocari Sweat, Burlington, Swish, and Buffalo's Wings N' Things.
"Everything. I want to learn everything I can," said Harris. "As one of the returning players, I know I have to step up as a leader, both on and off the court. It's a role I'm ready for."
"Everything. I want to learn everything I can," said Harris. "As one of the returning players, I know I have to step up as a leader, both on and off the court. It's a role I'm ready for."
Scott, for his part, also wants to share that wisdom to these players in Fil-Am Nation Select, saying, "The late, great Kobe Bryant once told me that when he changed his jersey number to 24, it symbolized 24 hours in a day—24 hours to get better. That's the mentality I want these guys to embrace."
Scott, for his part, also wants to share that wisdom to these players in Fil-Am Nation Select, saying, "The late, great Kobe Bryant once told me that when he changed his jersey number to 24, it symbolized 24 hours in a day—24 hours to get better. That's the mentality I want these guys to embrace."
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