More than just hoops

Five-time PBA Coach of the Year and TVSports head Chot Reyes said yesterday working with the 24 previously undiscovered players in the Nike Rise program isn’t only about basketball but also life lessons that will inspire hope for those struggling for a brighter future.

Reyes said it’s definitely not a step down from coaching at the highest level to teaching kids who are in the age range of 12 to 21. “Teaching is what I’ve always loved to do,” he said. “Nike Rise is a special program because it provides an opportunity for untapped talent to actualize their potential and live their dream. It took over six hours of discussion before we chose the 24 from close to 1,000 who attended tryouts in Dagupan, Manila, Cebu and Davao. We focused on the segment that never got a break, the boys and girls who couldn’t play for the varsity because they were too individualistic as barangay streetballers or their parents couldn’t afford to sustain them or they lived too far away from schools or centers that offered formal basketball training.”

Reyes said the 24 were picked because they had skills and stories to tell. “If you had all the skills but had no Rise story to tell or if you had a Rise story to tell but no skills, you weren’t chosen,” he said. “We went through the resumes and recommendations of everyone who attended the tryouts. We watched them carefully doing drills. We missed about 40 more players from Iloilo and Bacolod who couldn’t make the trip to Cebu because the ferry service was interrupted by a storm. In Davao, some players were on the road for over three hours just to attend the tryouts at the Almendras Gym. In Dagupan, we found a 12-year-old girl Kristine Cayabyab who’s probably the best shooter of the 24. Overall, about 15 percent of those who showed up for tryouts were girls.”

Depending on where they’re from, Reyes said the players had certain common characteristics. “The Manila players were scientific in their approach and a lot were bigs,” he said. “The Cebu and Davao players were pressure bara-bara guys, intense. When we brought the 24 to the House of Rise, they couldn’t believe what was unfolding. They checked in at the Z Hostel in Makati and found, on their beds, three pairs of Nike shoes, including the Hyperdunk, six pairs of socks, three Nike collared shirts, three pairs of Nike Elite shorts and uniforms. For some, it was the first time they put on shoes of that quality. This access to Nike technology in apparel and footwear is like a dream come true. We’re also introducing nutrition and after one or two weeks, we’ve begun to notice their bodies filling up without compromising their mobility. Some of the players were actually malnourished when they started camp.”

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Of the 24 players, 15 are out of school. Four are from Manila and Cebu, three from Olongapo, two from Davao and Leyte, one from Makati, Muntinlupa, Cavite, Pampanga, Dagupan, Laguna, Ifugao, Navotas and Novaliches. Two girls who made it were Cayabyab and Rossini Briana Espinas of Davao. Six are at least six-foot tall namely, 6-4 Kenric Cilot, 17, of Pamantasan Ng Lungsod Ng Muntinlupa, 6-1 Roland Vinasoy of Makati, 20, 6-1 John Lennon Villanueva of Manila, 20, 6-1 Kherlie Pino of Cebu, 18, 6-0 Paul Jackson, 19, of Olongapo and 6-0 Algin Andaya, 18, of Navotas.

Reyes said he’s gotten calls from high school and collegiate scouts asking if they could contact certain players. “Some players are now getting attention but at the moment, I’ve told the scouts to hold off,” he said. “Our focus is on our six weeks of training. When it’s over, of course, they may be contacted. We’ve formed a special bond with the 24. We’ve made the first cut to 20 and there were tears all over. We’ll cut it down to 16 before choosing the 12 to play in the game against UAAP All-Stars. Even if they’ve been cut, I’ve told the guys once they’ve become my players, they’ll always be my players. It’s that way even with the high school players I used to coach. I still get calls from them. In any way I can help them succeed, I’ll do what I can.”

Reyes said getting the kids to play within a team concept is a priority. “I’ve told the guys the only way we can be competitive against All-Stars like Kiefer Ravena, Jeron Teng and Mac Belo is if we play together as a team,” he said.

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Nike has spared no expense in making the House of Rise, where the 24 train, a true haven for players. “It’s perfect for basketball,” he said. “The place used to be a warehouse transformed into a gym. The flooring for basketball used to be the hardcourt at the Araneta Coliseum. It’s worn out but that’s how we like it. The place has great ambiance. Nike has air-conditioned it, provided a lounge for visiting stars like Paul George and installed state-of-the-art cameras and jumbo screen so that at any time during a drill, we can replay a sequence to point out certain things. Nike has a short-term lease on the place. It’s possible that the House of Rise could be a permanent fixture, we still don’t know because that depends on what the landowner wants to do with the property. Right now, the House of Rise is open to the public, free of charge, on Wednesdays and Sundays from 6 to 10 p.m. Players have been dropping by, some girls, some college players like Thirdy Ravena. Nike has a graffiti wall where you write comments and a display area which is constantly being upgraded.”

Reyes said he’s able to relate his Gilas experience with what’s going on at the House of Rise. “With Gilas, we had a limited period of time to prepare for the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships and the 2014 FIBA World Cup,” he said. “We brought in players from different backgrounds and got them to play together. It’s the same with Nike Rise. We’ve got only six weeks to get ready for the game against the UAAP All-Stars and we’re working with players from different backgrounds.” It’s obvious that with Gilas and Nike Rise, the common elements are sacrifice, hard work and discipline. There isn’t anybody better to inspire hope with Nike Rise than Reyes.

A reality documentary series on Nike Rise, produced by a foreign crew, will be launched on TV5 at 6 tonight. After the show, TV5 will air a local 30-minute production called Extra Rise for a full coverage of the project.