Focused, Fueled, and Fearless: Coach Jess Evangelio on Off-Campus Residence X Toyomoto’s NBTC 2026 Mindanao Campaign
As the Smart-NBTC 2026 Mindanao Regional Championship tips off, one team continues to draw attention both from supporters and skeptics alike, Off-Campus Residence X Toyomoto. At the center of this high-stakes journey is head coach Jess Evangelio, who spoke candidly about his team’s condition, mindset, and championship approach in an exclusive interview.
Battling Fatigue, Holding On to Motivation
Coach Evangelio shared that the team remains highly motivated despite facing logistical and preparation challenges heading into the tournament. With the lineup finalized only at the last minute, Off-Campus Residence X Toyomoto had limited tune-up games before the regional championship. Adding to the difficulty, their opening match is scheduled early in the morning, following an overnight journey with players arriving in batches via two vans some as late as 4 a.m.
Despite the lack of rest and the demanding schedule that includes a double-header on the first day, Coach Evangelio was firm: fatigue will not be an excuse. He emphasized his responsibility to ensure that exhaustion does not dictate the players’ performance or mindset.
Ignoring the Noise, Trusting the Process
While the team enters the tournament as a crowd favorite, Coach Evangelio acknowledged that many fans are also rooting for rival squads to take the crown. For him, this external pressure is irrelevant. He consistently reminds his players to focus only on what they can control, their effort, discipline, and improvement. Doubters and bashers, he said, are simply noise that the team chooses not to listen to. The goal is steady growth every game and every tournament.
From Playing with Scottie Thompson to Coaching Macky Peligrino
Reflecting on his own playing days in the NBTC, Coach Evangelio recalled sharing the court with Scottie Thompson. At the time, Thompson was still building his name, constantly proving himself as one of the best.
Now, as a coach, Evangelio finds himself guiding one of the biggest names in the youth scene, Macky Peligrino. The difference, he explained, is confidence. Peligrino already knows he is among the elite, but Coach Evangelio trusts him to continue proving that status every single game through effort and performance.
One Game at a Time
When asked about his strategy for winning gold, Coach Evangelio kept it simple. There is no room for drama or grand predictions. The tournament will be treated one game at a time, day by day. His focus remains on preparation, execution, and staying present in each matchup. If everything falls into place, he hopes the journey will end with a gold medal, but for now, the only concern is the next game.
As the Mindanao Regional Championship unfolds, Off-Campus Residence X Toyomoto enters not just with talent, but with a mindset rooted in focus, resilience, and trust in the process, qualities that Coach Jess Evangelio believes matter most when the stakes are highest.