Hoop dreams

We’re only a couple of weeks into the varsity ball leagues and, though the bets are on, the final four calls for both UAAP and NCAA basketball are still up in the air; we’re also waiting to see if the Smart-Gilas Philippine National team does better in the Jones Cup in Taiwan this week, at least better than the country’s dismal sixth place showing last year.

A cause for celebration for basketball-crazed Philippines, however, comes by way of another basketball team, less heralded but no less important, especially since it also banners the Philippine flag on its uniform. Recently, the Nokia Pilipinas U-18 basketball team, the country’s junior national youth team, composed of high school and collegiate students under 18 years old, bagged champion honors in the SEABA Basketball Championship held last week in Yangon, Myanmar, winning all their games against Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, and Myanmar, and gaining a place in the FIBA Asia competition in Yemen this September.

Backed-up by Jun Sy, president of Tao Corporation and Benoit Nalin, Nokia Philippines country general manager, and coached by Eric Altamirano, the junior national team underwent international training prior to participating in Myanmar. The coaching staff and 14 teen ballers traveled to Indiana to train under Coach Ed Schilling, once an assistant coach of the New Jersey Nets and even flew to Los Angeles to play against local high school squads. Last year, Nokia and Tao Corporation even sent the team to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra where the boys honed their individual skills, shooting drills and defense, and finally focused on team concepts.

“Nokia does not usually sponsor sports but when this project was presented to us, we saw several reasons to say yes,” says Nikka Abes, corporate communications manager for Nokia Philippines, explaining their involvement in the sports development project. “In this project you have different people coming together to achieve a common goal, one that does not bring success or recognition to just one individual but to a country.”

While the team is taking it one tourney at a time, the ultimate goal, really, is to be able to make it to the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010. As tough as it is for the real national team to qualify for the Olympics, so it is for the teen league. (The last time the Philippines made it to the Olympics was in 1972.) Right now, however, it’s enough to be on a high from winning a prime Southeast Asian spot.

Five of the Nokia Pilipinas U-18 youth national team share with us their international baller experiences and a bit of their hoop dreams.

Kiefer ravena, 16, Ateneo De Manila

It feels great to be part of the Nokia Pilipinas U-18 National Youth team because there are 10,000 kids wanting to be in my shoes but I was the one privileged enough to get in.

I started basketball at four years old and I’ve been doing the same thing until now.

 The worst thing about traveling to play ball is the essence of surprise, when you don’t know who you’ll play against.

Playing with other guys from different schools is sometimes awkward because I always see them in the opposite side of the court.

Mike Tolomia, 17, Far eastern university

I actually grew up with basketball. This was the first sport that was introduced to me when I was a kid. I started playing basketball at the age of eight. 

It is my pleasure and an honor to be part of the Nokia Pilipinas U-18 National Youth team. I feel a lot of emotions: happiness, pride and excitement. 

The best thing about traveling was experiencing and discovering unfamiliar things like new cultures, attitudes and faces. 

As much as possible, I want to compete with other players who are the best of all from all over the world.

Gelo Alolino, 16, University of Perpetual Help

The best thing about playing basketball in other places and countries is that I learn to adjust and understand other cultures.

 It is an honor to be given a chance to play alongside with my teammates from other schools whom, I believe also work hard to be a part of the Nokia Pilipinas U-18 National Youth team.

My future dream is to first finish my studies and, with God’s help, aim to play college basketball and also in the professional league someday. 

 I feel very proud to play the sport that I love and use it to represent my country for it is a dream come true.

Von Pessumal, 1, Ateneo De Manila High School

I got into basketball by frequently going with my dad back when would play ball with his friends. He always asked me to come and be the scorer on the sidelines so I could learn and analyze the game of basketball at a young age.

 The best thing about traveling to play is the bond that develops between you and your teammates. In international grounds, you literally have no choice but to abide by the parameters and ground rules set by higher authorities. In doing so, the players usually can only interact with each other, thus making their relationship with one another much deeper. I believe this is a big factor in winning teams: team chemistry.

 Sometimes, it’s inevitable to miss your home and your family. Sometimes you miss little details about the home you left behind that it bothers you from time to time. It’s uncomfortable, yes. But you just have to learn to live with it and eventually things will feel much better. 

Most of my teammates in the team were, and are still, my rivals during a lot of the local tournaments. It’s really a nice sight to see a group of young players overcoming the fact that they are from different schools in order to play for the country. I hope this shows everyone that basketball shouldn’t create enemies but rather expand your social network. 

 Not everyone has an opportunity to be a role model to the youth. I believe just by inspiring young aspiring Filipinos to play basketball, I’ve already made a difference in the society.

Dan Sara, 17, De La Salle University

 I feel like a hero every time I wear my Nokia Pilipinas U-18 National Youth team jersey. Each of us would wish to represent and fight for our country in our own little way. I am happy that through basketball, I am able to show to the world how proud and honored I am to be a Filipino.

 When I was three, my dad used to bring me with him every Sunday to play basketball with his friends. At eight years old, I had the opportunity to play for my school in Cagayan de Oro and my coaches back then provided me with the right training. That’s the reason why my jersey number is 8.

 I learn a lot from our travels — not just about basketball but also about other cultures. I get to explore different places, meet new friends, and experience their culture. I also get this rare chance to show to the world that Filipinos can compete in sports especially in basketball.

 I’m shy when I’m around people that I don’t know. I tend to be quiet and just sit there. But when my teammates became my friends, I started to treat them like my brothers. We share rooms when we travel. Every time we play for the Nokia Pilipinas U-18 National Youth team, we don’t think of our schools. We put the rivalry behind. We play for the flag. We just play for one team.

 Each basketball player wishes to play for the PBA or the even bigger NBA. But I’d like to take one step at a time. Now that we qualified for the FIBA Asia U-18 in Yemen, I dream that in September we can make it to the top three or, better yet, bring home the gold medal.