Basketball may just be a hobby for some. But for Dhon Reverente, it's a way of life.
Dhon Reverente learned to play basketball at the age of 14. While he was born in Bicol, he grew up in Metro Manila where his older brothers introduced him to basketball, which eventually became his passion. And just like any other kids growing up in the 90's, Dhon Reverente idolized Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls who is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. He also looked up to high-flying Vince Carter and rebounding legend Dennis Rodman who influenced his playing style.
Unknown to Dhon Reverente, his puppy love and passion for playing basketball would someday become his ticket to a college education. He was supposed to defer his tertiary education due to financial difficulties but he somehow found a way through basketball.
Dhon Reverente worked on his strength and conditioning while sharpening his basketball skills in order to be more competitive. He then tried out in 2010 for the men's basketball team of the Philippine Marine Merchant School (PMMS)- Las Piñas and was later accepted.
In his rookie year with the PMMS Mariners, Dhon Reverente joined a team led by Elmar Moradas who eventually became his teammate in the Pasay Voyagers franchise of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). At that time, the Mariners has not won a championship crown yet.
Nonetheless, their continuous hardwork finally paid off two (2) years later when the Mariners escaped the Olivarez College Sea Lions, 76-69, in the deciding game of the best-of-three championship series to win the NCRAA 19th season title on February 4, 2012. For his impressive performance in the series, Elmar Moradas bagged the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Eight months later, it was Dhon Reverente's time to shine and earn an MVP award. He dropped 17 points to lead the Mariners in the Finals of the Fourth (4th) Interscholastic Athletic Association (ISAA) and capture another Championship Trophy at the expense of La Consolacion College-Manila.
Unfortunately, Dhon Reverente and the Mariners failed to defend their NCRAA champion against Olivarez College in 2013. They suffered another heartbreaking loss in his last playing year against St. Clare during the 2014 NCRAA finals. Inspite of the successive heartbreaks, Dhon Reverente still cherishes the championship games he played as the most memorable moments of his collegiate basketball career.
A professional basketball career is not, however, something that is served on a silver platter after college. Due to the lack of professional teams in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), getting drafted is very competitive, especially if you come from little-known leagues such as the NCRAA.
Accordingly, Dhon Reverente didn't immediately apply for the PBA draft. He instead worked as a trainer in Rockwell Makati while playing basketball in various ligang labas where he met teammates who are enlisted soldier-athletes of the Philippine Navy. His interest to join the Navy was reignited after he was invited by the Navy soldier-athletes.
But before he got into the Navy, he found himself playing for the Muntinlupa Cagers in the MPBL, an upstart regional tournament founded by Manny Pacquiao and launched in January 2018. He had a chance to win a Championship ring with the Cagers but they succumbed against the eventual Champions Batangas City Tanduay Athletics.
After playing for one (1) more season with the Cagers, Dhon subsequently transferred the next Season to the Pasay Voyagers where he blossomed as a rebounding machine. Incidentally, it was also at the start of the Lakan Season when he achieved one of his long-time plan to serve in the Navy after he was officially enlisted into service.
It was fortunate for Dhon Reverente that he didn't have to forego basketball while serving in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) since the Philippine Navy allowed him to practice and play with his team after his daily duties. Although working and then practicing after work was tiring for him, he persevered anyway as he believed both were blessings in his life.
To the contrary, his divided attention and focus didn't affect his level of performance on the court. In fact, Dhon was the second (2nd) leading scorer for the Voyagers with 12 points a game. He was likewise the rebounding King in the entire league during the Lakan Season after he grabbed an average of 11.5 rebounds each outing.
How was he able to outrebound bigger and taller opponents? He drew inspiration from Dennis Rodman.
Dhon Reverente's "Puso" at "tapang" was in full display during the game 1 match of eight (8th) seeded Pasay game against first ranked San Juan. He shrugged off a swollen eye which was inadvertently hit by Tajonera to contribute eight (8) points while maintaining his defensive intensity.
The Voyagers lost the series but they definitely won a lot of respect after they engaged the defending champions to a dogfight. Consequently, things are looking bright for the Pasay Voyagers next season but Dhon Reverente believes adjustments are needed to achieve their ultimate goal of winning the championship trophy and not just settle for another moral victory.
Dhon Reverente and the rest of the Pasay Voyagers will need to wait a little longer though since the MPBL is on an indefinite break due to Covid-19. In the meantime, he is focusing right now on his duties as a frontliner with the Philippine Navy but he still do some workout in the barracks to stay fit and ready for another season.
Take good care Mr. Reverente. Salute!
Dhon Reverente learned to play basketball at the age of 14. While he was born in Bicol, he grew up in Metro Manila where his older brothers introduced him to basketball, which eventually became his passion. And just like any other kids growing up in the 90's, Dhon Reverente idolized Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls who is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. He also looked up to high-flying Vince Carter and rebounding legend Dennis Rodman who influenced his playing style.
Unknown to Dhon Reverente, his puppy love and passion for playing basketball would someday become his ticket to a college education. He was supposed to defer his tertiary education due to financial difficulties but he somehow found a way through basketball.
Dhon Reverente worked on his strength and conditioning while sharpening his basketball skills in order to be more competitive. He then tried out in 2010 for the men's basketball team of the Philippine Marine Merchant School (PMMS)- Las Piñas and was later accepted.
"Nag tryout ako sa PMMS-Las Piñas. Hindi na talaga ako makapag-college sana gawa ng di kaya ng parents ko. Hanggang sa tinaga ko ang paglalaro. Nagpalakas ng nagpalakas para mapansin at palarin makuha sa PMMS at para makapagtapos ng college, explained Dhon Reverente in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy."
In his rookie year with the PMMS Mariners, Dhon Reverente joined a team led by Elmar Moradas who eventually became his teammate in the Pasay Voyagers franchise of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). At that time, the Mariners has not won a championship crown yet.
Nonetheless, their continuous hardwork finally paid off two (2) years later when the Mariners escaped the Olivarez College Sea Lions, 76-69, in the deciding game of the best-of-three championship series to win the NCRAA 19th season title on February 4, 2012. For his impressive performance in the series, Elmar Moradas bagged the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Eight months later, it was Dhon Reverente's time to shine and earn an MVP award. He dropped 17 points to lead the Mariners in the Finals of the Fourth (4th) Interscholastic Athletic Association (ISAA) and capture another Championship Trophy at the expense of La Consolacion College-Manila.
Unfortunately, Dhon Reverente and the Mariners failed to defend their NCRAA champion against Olivarez College in 2013. They suffered another heartbreaking loss in his last playing year against St. Clare during the 2014 NCRAA finals. Inspite of the successive heartbreaks, Dhon Reverente still cherishes the championship games he played as the most memorable moments of his collegiate basketball career.
A professional basketball career is not, however, something that is served on a silver platter after college. Due to the lack of professional teams in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), getting drafted is very competitive, especially if you come from little-known leagues such as the NCRAA.
Accordingly, Dhon Reverente didn't immediately apply for the PBA draft. He instead worked as a trainer in Rockwell Makati while playing basketball in various ligang labas where he met teammates who are enlisted soldier-athletes of the Philippine Navy. His interest to join the Navy was reignited after he was invited by the Navy soldier-athletes.
But before he got into the Navy, he found himself playing for the Muntinlupa Cagers in the MPBL, an upstart regional tournament founded by Manny Pacquiao and launched in January 2018. He had a chance to win a Championship ring with the Cagers but they succumbed against the eventual Champions Batangas City Tanduay Athletics.
After playing for one (1) more season with the Cagers, Dhon subsequently transferred the next Season to the Pasay Voyagers where he blossomed as a rebounding machine. Incidentally, it was also at the start of the Lakan Season when he achieved one of his long-time plan to serve in the Navy after he was officially enlisted into service.
It was fortunate for Dhon Reverente that he didn't have to forego basketball while serving in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) since the Philippine Navy allowed him to practice and play with his team after his daily duties. Although working and then practicing after work was tiring for him, he persevered anyway as he believed both were blessings in his life.
"Duty sa navy buong araw then paalam lang para sa practice at game sa MPBL. Mahirap siya kasi sobrang pagod katawan ko, iba kasi talaga kapag yung focus mo nasa iisang bagay lang. Pero blessings kasi lahat yan kaya grab lang ako ng grab, Dhon Reverente shared how he juggled his service with Navy and basketball career."
To the contrary, his divided attention and focus didn't affect his level of performance on the court. In fact, Dhon was the second (2nd) leading scorer for the Voyagers with 12 points a game. He was likewise the rebounding King in the entire league during the Lakan Season after he grabbed an average of 11.5 rebounds each outing.
How was he able to outrebound bigger and taller opponents? He drew inspiration from Dennis Rodman.
"Sobrang idol ko kasi si Dennis Rodman, kung paano siya rumebound at dumepensa. At yung hustle sa loob ng court pati yung puso at tapang sa paglalaro."
Dhon Reverente's "Puso" at "tapang" was in full display during the game 1 match of eight (8th) seeded Pasay game against first ranked San Juan. He shrugged off a swollen eye which was inadvertently hit by Tajonera to contribute eight (8) points while maintaining his defensive intensity.
"Para sa akin, malaking bagay kasi ako sa team. Yung pagiging masipag ko sa loob ng court, sabi ni coach Marlon Keith Martin, malaking bagay yun sa team. Nadadamay mga ibang teammates ko sa energy na pinapakita ko sa loob ng court. Kaya kahit pikit na isang mata ko, hindi pa rin ako nagpakita na ininda ko yung tama ko sa mata ko. Tsaka basketball is a physical sports kaya Ok lang yun, kasama sa laro yun, added Dhon Reverente."
The Voyagers lost the series but they definitely won a lot of respect after they engaged the defending champions to a dogfight. Consequently, things are looking bright for the Pasay Voyagers next season but Dhon Reverente believes adjustments are needed to achieve their ultimate goal of winning the championship trophy and not just settle for another moral victory.
"Sobrang ganda ng system ng coaching sa Pasay. Siguro para sa akin, i-run lang lahat ng tama yung plays at hanggang sa dulo. Hardwork sa loob, offense at defense, at usap. Tiwala sa sarili at sa kakampi , suggested Dhon Reverente."
Dhon Reverente and the rest of the Pasay Voyagers will need to wait a little longer though since the MPBL is on an indefinite break due to Covid-19. In the meantime, he is focusing right now on his duties as a frontliner with the Philippine Navy but he still do some workout in the barracks to stay fit and ready for another season.
Take good care Mr. Reverente. Salute!
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