Top Filipino-American cagers weigh college options

SAN FRANCISCO – Highly recruited Fil-Am teeners Kurt Lojera and Ty Hill expressed interest yesterday to enrol in Manila schools and play basketball in the UAAP or NCAA with education as their priority.

Lojera and Hill, both 19, were on the BallerZ team that lost to Go Get It, 74-72, in the Asian Open League (AOL) elite division final at the Sunset Gym of the Hayward Recreational Center 42 kilometers from this city last Saturday. Lojera, a 6-1 point guard, finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists while Hill had two points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Final MVP was former Syrian junior national star Muhammed Otabachi who scored the decisive basket on a put-back at the buzzer. Otabachi, 22, compiled 26 points and 20 rebounds for playing coach Sunny Margate’s Go Get It. Fil-Am Alex Butcher, 29, fired 27 points to show the way.

The AOL is a two-year-old league organized by Noel Intal of Iloilo. The league operates four three-month tournaments in the elite, developmental and recreational divisions every year. “We’ve got about 120 teams playing in our league in Martinez Hayward and San Jose,” said Intal, 28. “We run about 63 games five days a week during the season. We limit the height of our players to 6-3 and they’re only of Asian origin. We welcome Fil-Ams of any age. Simon Enciso, who now plays in the PBA, used to come over to watch our games because he plays on Sunny’s other teams.”

Margate, 38, is a Fil-Am who lived his basketball dream in the MBA and PBL from 1998 to 2004. He was born in Daly City and played at Skyline Junior College in San Bruno. The 6-2 guard was picked on the fourth round by Alaska in the 2003 PBA draft but never made it to the league. Margate is back in the Bay Area where he is involved in outside sales and marketing services.

“I loved my stay in the Philippines and I stay in touch with my buddies like Jimmy Alapag, Harvey Carey and Nic Belasco,” said Margate. “In the MBA, I played for the Pasig Pirates and Laguna Lakers and in the PBL, I played for Viva Mineral Water with Arwind Santos. In the Bay Area, I know guys like Josh Urbiztondo, Frank Bonifacio and Ali Austria. I’m still an active player and this weekend, I’m playing in a 35-and-over league organized by Manny Umali in Las Vegas. I’m looking forward to playing with ex-PBA pros Chris Jackson, Lowell Briones and Elmer Lago.”

In the AOL Hayward final, Otabachi was unstoppable. Asked if he’d like to play in the PBA Governors Cup as an Asian import, Otabachi said it hasn’t crossed his mind. Otabachi, 23, is enrolled at San Francisco State. He averaged 17.8 points and 6.9 rebounds in eight games for Syria at the FIBA Asia U18 Championships in Yemen five years ago. Otabachi remembered playing against Kiefer Ravena in the tournament.

“I know about the Philippines because one of our Syrian stars Michel Madanly played in the PBA,” said Otabachi. “I also know Omar Krayem of Palestine played in the PBA last season. Would I play in the PBA as an Asian import? I don’t know. I’m in school right now so playing basketball abroad is not a priority.”

Lojera was born in Manila and moved to San Francisco with his family when he was six. His father Al is from Antique and mother Yvette from Camarines Norte.  In high school, Lojera averaged 25 points. He played a year at Foothill College in Los Altos, California, but is now out of school. Lojera scored a personal high of seven points against Ohlone with the Foothill varsity.

“I’m hoping to continue my education in the Philippines,” said Lojera. “Of course, my ultimate dream is to play in the PBA. If I could play in the UAAP or NCAA, that would be a way to prepare for the future. My style of play is like Derrick Rose’s. I’m quick, I can shoot from anywhere and I go strong to the basket.”

Hill’s mother Jonette Soller is from Pangasinan. He started playing organized basketball at 11. “I like to rebound and block shots,” said Hill who averaged 26 points in high school. “I score on put-backs because I try to stay active under the boards. I pattern my play like Harrison Barnes because he’s so quick in getting position in the lane.” Hill took up kinesiology at Mission College for a year and like Lojera, is now out of school.

“My mom wants me to pursue my education in the Philippines and I’m excited to do that,” said Hill. “I could play and study then go to the PBA, if that’s possible. I’m training right now every day.”

Margate said both Lojera and Hill are ready to make the jump to the Philippines. “They’re good kids,” he said. “I think they’ll make an impact in the collegiate leagues.” Lojera’s father said San Beda College assistant coaches Benjie Paras and Jude Roque have visited their home twice to check on his son’s availability to join the Red Lions.