Rondo dishes out 'game-time' moves

MANILA, Philippines - NBA superstar Rajon Rondo yesterday dazzled a select group of UAAP and NCAA high school and collegiate players with his moves, including dribbling skills and floaters, that highlighted the Red Bull Skills Clinic at the Ronac Art Center in San Juan City.

“Everything I’m teaching here are game-time moves, I use this depending on the situations on the floor and the opponent’s defense,” said the soft-spoken Rondo who came here as part of his Asian Tour for the Red Bull King of the Rock that includes stops in Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong.

Among those who attended the clinic were Ateneo’s Kiefer and younger brother Thirdy Ravena, San Beda’s Baser Amer, La Salle’s Thomas Torres, Letran’s Kevin Alas, Jose Rizal’s Nate Matute, Perpetual’s Scotty Thompson and Jett Vidal.

Coach Chot Reyes, who steered the Nationals to the Jones Cup championship last Sunday, Ateneo’s Norman Black and PBA players like Alaska’s Tony Dela Cruz and Talk N’ Text’s Jimmy Alapag also assisted Rondo in the event.

Among the moves Rondo, 26, taught the players were the Euro step, the right way to shoot floaters, some dribbling and passing and some drills.

He is also set to conduct another clinic for under-privileged kids in San Juan today where he will also turn over a refurbished court to the San Juan National High School.

The Boston Celtics ace guard, who arrived with family members and personal trainers, is actually here for a much-needed vacation but made it a point to do the clinics and hold some pick-up games in Metro Manila.