Coach Diokno

Question:  Coach, this is your 4th season as coach in the Greek League. You have been with 3 different teams the last few years but are returning to coach Lola's for a second straight year. With your past history, what made you return to coach this Lola's team? Do you think you have a chance to win it all?
Diokno:  We had a tough start last year, but I am comfortable with the way we finished. It took the whole season for the team to gel, but I think we have some good pieces. If we can stop the scoring droughts that we experienced last year, we should be very competitive. However, this could be the year of the Shark.

Question:  You coached Vourvoura in 98 to its first league title. What made you want to leave and coach Nick's Diner the next year? Rumor has it there was bitterness towards GJ and the twins for not giving you enough control in the organization. Was this true? There is speculation the twins bring in high priced free agents and pay them under the table along with controlling many aspects of the league like the referees and schedule. How do you feel about this organization and their influence in the league?
Diokno:  I left Vourvoura for a couple of reasons. First, I shafted the Diner and went with Vourvoura in '98 because I wanted to win a championship and the Mountaineers had a great shot. Secondly they gave me a car and Greek League season tickets. As far as GJ goes, I have tried for two years now to bring him with me, BAD GJ. The twins and GJ are conyving and though I have not witnessed it, I wouldn't put it past them to pay their free agents and there is no doubt in my mind they pay the refs. No one since MJ has gotten as many calls as the Mountaineers.

Question:  You were the first coach to go from first to worst. It must have been a frustrating year coaching Nick's Diner, who was nicknamed "team head case." Did you ever feel like giving it all up during that horrible season? Also how do you feel with the success of both former teams you coached, with Nick's Diner in the Final 4 and Vourvoura winning the title? Is their a motivation to beat them this year?
Diokno:  There were many times when I wanted to send the Diner team to the shrink that Tony Soprano sees. The metamorphosis that the Diner Team has experienced each of the last four years has helped the league by developing strong rivalries. We were very close to being in the final 4 last year and with the latest additions, I think we have a great shot of getting there.

Question:  Rumor has it that if Lola's doesn't perform well this year, you could be out? Team owner Lola Karavagelos expects a big year or heads will roll. How are you dealing with this added pressure of such a hands on owner? 
Diokno:  I am very fortunate to work for such a great owner like Lola. She is the boss. She has a great trust in the moves that Ike and I make and I can truly say we have put our stamp on this year's team.

Question:  Now on to this season. How do you think the addition of Vic Delpino and Sotiri Bafitis will most benefit this team? There has been a lot of speculation that this team might lack chemistry with all the different styles of play.
Diokno:  The core of this team really made strides last year with chemistry. Vic and Sotiri are veterans of this league and they will step right in and fill needs that we struggled to fill last year. Sotiri is a banger, a good post player who can score and rebound in the blocks. Vic has an all around game, but most importantly ha can put the ball in the hole and he can fit into most every situation. This should be another exciting, competitive year and I look forward to today's tip-off.

Thank you for chatting with us an good luck this season!