Rob Labagala
Roberts Raymond T. Labagala is a Filipino basketball coach and former professional player who currently serves as the head coach for the San Sebastian Stags of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. He is also an assistant coach for the Basilan Viva Portmasters of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. He last played for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters of the Philippine Basketball Association. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, Labagala plays at the point guard position.
He played collegiate basketball at the University of the East where he was a benchwarmer who played the fewest minutes on the court. Shortly after graduating, he was picked with the 12th overall pick on the second round of the 2010 PBA draft by the Barangay Ginebra Kings. He played short minutes on his rookie season due to the Kings' tight guard rotation. After his rookie season, he end up included in the All-Rookie team and being the Rookie Blitz Game Most Valuable Player.
After three seasons with the Kings that was renamed to San Miguel on the last season of his tenure with the team, he was traded to the Barako Bull Energy for very similar Emman Monfort. As usual on his career, Labagala sat out mostly and played just 3 minutes per game in one season with the Energy. When Labagala's contract expired, he was left unsigned by his team and months later was signed by Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters where he won his first PBA championship.
Early life and career
Labagala was born on 5 July 1984 on Talisay, Cebu where he was also raised. He studied and played high school basketball at the Cebu Institute of Technology – UniversityLabagala played collegiate basketball for the University of the East's Red Warriors. Because Labagala spent little time on the court, his chances of being scouted by PBA teams that could bring him to the country's premier league was much smaller. Labagala played the fewest minutes among the Red Warriors but was able to help the team's offensive capabilities through his passing ability and speed.