Pinoy cager impresses ‘Nate the Great’

Despite his well-built frame, his size is typical of most Filipinos.

But this Filipino hoopster could be something special. Michael "Mike" Gamboa is sharp, deadly and ready to fly.

The 5-foot-6 guard caught the fancy of almost everybody, including NBA slam dunk champion Nate Robinson and Jason Richardson, when he displayed jaw-dropping moves and ball-handling skills during the recent Nike All-Asia Basketball Camp in Beijing, China.

The skipper of the junior team of the Ateneo squad in the coming UAAP wars, Gamboa made history of sorts in the five-day camp when he became the only Filipino to make it to the all-Star squad.

The camp lured 60 budding players from China, Taiwan, Australia, Japan, Philippines and South Korea and Gamboa was one of the 20 players who made the grade based on performances in the first three days of drills and tests.

"Mike’s heart allows him to play big despite his size," said coach Jamike Jarin. "He really works hard."

Aside from making into the elite top 20, the 17-year-old Gamboa also advanced into the Final Four of the three-point contest.

Though he lost in the shootout, Gamboa earned the raves of fellow campers for his courage, versatility and shooting skill.

For that, he brought home the Hard Work Award that won him a pair of "Nate the Great" shoes from Robinson. Gamboa earned the right to represent the country after emerging MVP in the Elite Camp, which was organized by former PBA coach Eric Altamirano and PBL hotshot Alex Compton.

He never made it to the Mythical First Five but Gamboa felt as if he won the coveted MVP award.

"Making to the All-Star is already a big achievement. I did not expect to make it to the top 20 considering how tall and talented the other participants in the camp," said Gamboa. "It was a sweet and memorable experience."

Other Filipinos who participated in the basketball camp were David Marcelo of San Beda and Joshua David Webb of La Salle-Zobel.