The Vanguard

He may be a familiar figure in basketball, but Ariel Vanguardia is also playing an active role in the grassroots development program of the Junior Golf Federation of the Philippines (JGFP).

As secretary general of the federation, Vanguardia’s role is to serve as the vanguard of good moral values and excellence, patiently guiding countless young golfers in their development at the grassroots level with the hopes of making it all the way to the elite level.

Vanguardia said the task is not easy. But he is enjoying every moment of it, especially when it comes to partnering with the parents in making sure that the young athletes are developing physically, mentally and emotionally inside and outside the golf course.

“At JGFP, we have 600 members. So, you’re always talking to like 1,000 parents at the very least,” Vanguardia said in a recent episode of “Off the Court,” the weekly online sports show of DAILY TRIBUNE.

“So, we have 1,200 parents who are team owners and want only the best for their kids. We understand that. Just like them, we also hate to lose. So we’re helping them achieve their dreams for their children.”

Vanguardia admitted that he is not a good golfer, but his support for JGFP president Oliver Gan and other stakeholders is very valuable.

“I’m not a golf coach because I’m not a good golfer. But I’m helping the foundation in plotting the programs of president Oliver Gan,” he said, emphasizing that his role is purely voluntary.

“We don’t get paid for this. We just simply love the sport.”

Basketball roots

But basketball is Vanguardia’s first love.

Before displaying that beautiful swing and long putt, Vanguardia had mentored some of the best basketball teams in the country.

A graduate of De La Salle University, Vanguardia served as assistant coach of champion teams like the Manila Metrostars in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association in 1999 and College of Saint Benilde in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 2000.

He served as interim coach of TNT Phone Pals in the Philippine Basketball Association before making a return to the NCAA, where he had some measure of success as he steered Jose Rizal University to the finals of Season 84 in 2008.

Although the underdog Heavy Bombers of John Wilson, Marc Cagoco, James Sena and Marvin Hayes surrendered to powerhouse San Beda University of Sam Ekwe, Ogie Menor and Pong Escobal, the fact that they were able to push them to the limit before suffering a 69-85 loss in Game 3 of the best-of-three finals series means that Vanguardia has what it takes to coach at an elite level.

Vanguardia bounced around after that, coaching clubs in the Asean Basketball League and PBA. His last coaching stint was as head coach of Phoenix that came to a screeching halt in 2017.

While taking a breather, Vanguardia dedicated his time to golf, where he hooked up with Gan, whom he coached in an alumni league of Xavier School back in the day.

“Oliver asked me if I can help him in running the affairs of JGFP,” said Vanguardia, who made a coaching return when Blackwater appointed him as head caoch in 2021.

“Of course, I said yes. It was a no-brainer. I know that by joining him at the foundation, I can help and serve a lot of young athletes who are dreaming of making it big someday.”

After his Blackwater stint, Atlanta brought his talent abroad in which he served as assistant coach of Atlanta Hawks’ National Basketball Association Summer League team in 2024. He returned to the Hawks the following year, where he served as their international scout.

Recently, Vanguardia is being rumored to be making a PBA return after Converge reportedly included him in the shortlist of its potential head coach.

Vanguardia, however, refused to comment on the FiberXers coaching job.

Helping hand

With his coaching pedigree, it wasn’t a surprise why Vanguardia is having an easy time connecting to parents, who are the primary stakeholders of the JGFP.

Former Gilas Pilipinas stalwart Jeff Chan, for instance, didn’t have a hard time entrusting his daughter, Aerin, to Gan, Vanguardia and the JGFP.

That trust and support did wonders for Aerin as she was able to compete in the 9-10 girls category of the 2023 IMG Junior World Golf Championship at Torrey Pines as well as other age-group tournaments.

“Jeff Chan, for example, used to be my player at Phoenix. He has a champion daughter who is around 14, 14 years old, I think,” Vanguardia said.

“He (Chan) understands that in all tournaments, he doesn’t necessarily know if his daughter will win. There are times that she will lose, and that will fuel her to work hard and do better next time.”

“That’s the beauty of being a former coach. I can easily explain to the parents that it’s not just about winning. There will also be times that their children will lose. But they have to help them cope up and bounce back by picking up all the lessons and values from these adversities.”

“There are parents who understand that, especially former athletes like Jeff.”

Vanguardia said helping Gan in the JGFP also harnessed his love for golf.

“I learned to love the sport even if I’m not that good. But in golf, you will really love the fact that you are competing against yourself,” Vanguardia stressed.

“I play golf just for fun.”

Vanguardia said that he is truly enjoying spending time with young golfers at JGFP

There, he is not just a sports administrator, a coach, or a swing guru. He is also a father who plays a special role in molding these young athletes into productive citizens in the future.