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| Clint McDaniel took over Stallion Laguna's coaching chores against Mendiola. PFL (file photo) |
MANILA—With head coach Ernie Nierras still doing some personal errands, Stallion Laguna is currently being run by the rest of his coaching staff led by assistant coach Richard Leyble.
However, on Sunday night, someone else was running the plays for the Biñan booters when they hosted Mendiola at the Biñan Football Stadium.
As it turned out, it was the father of winger Finn McDaniel, Clint, who was calling the shots for Stallion Laguna.
However, according to the elder McDaniel, he has been working hand-in-hand with Nierras' coaching staff way before he was tasked to do what would be his PFL coaching debut.
"I've been actually working with the team for a while. I've coached them in other occasions but never at a game. I just happened to be here for a game. It was a great opportunity coaching. It was wonderful. I love working with the guys," McDaniel, also the dad of national women's team players Chandler and Olivia, told Dugout Philippines.
With coach Clint at the helm, Stallion Laguna edged Mendiola, 2-0, lifting the team up to third place in the league table.
Adding to the delight of not just Clint but also Olivia and Chandler, who watched the match live, Finn assisted Abe Placito's opening goal in the 37th minute, delivering the corner kick to the penalty box where Placito skied over the rest for the header.
Clint wished his son would have scored a goal of his own.
"It would have been nicer if he's given his spot or a goal, but he's working hard," the patriarch continued.
As it stands, Stallion Laguna is just a formality away from clinching a spot in next season's AFC Cup, and with crucial matches coming up against Dynamic Herb Cebu and Kaya Iloilo next week, the club might need some more help from McDaniel.
However, he clarified that his coaching gig is just a one-and-done.
"It worked out that I get to coach this game, but that's just a one-time thing," McDaniel further said.
He then said that Leyble will coach the club in the back-to-back against Cebu at the Dynamic Herb Sports Complex in Talisay City.
"Coach Richard is our go-to guy out there. He does a great job with the team," McDaniel further said.
Right now, according to McDaniel, the plan now is to improve Stallion Laguna's midfield ahead of the AFC Cup, which starts on Aug. 1 with the qualifying phase, although the club would not begin its campaign until Sept. 20 at the soonest at the start of the group stages since they will enter the tournament outright.
"We're trying to get the team nailed in and work on our midfield real hard. We feel where the key is at. It's getting the midfield tight and more condensed," McDaniel further said.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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