"Walang malas sa depensa!" That has always been the mantra for 30-year old guard Eman Calo of the Davao Occidental Tigers.
The 6'0 shooting guard is the third (3rd) leading scorer for the Tigers behind Mark Yee and Billy Robles as he is dropping 9.2 points each game. But inspite of such distinction, Eman Calo thinks his defense is his biggest contribution to the team.
True enough, he has been helping his team in so many ways. On top of scoring, his pesky defense in the perimeter led to 1.6 steals while grabbing 3.6 rebounds and dishing 2.2 dimes per outing during the ongoing Lakan Cup where his team topped the South Division for the second consecutive season.
Eman Calo is making the most out of his stint in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) after he was left undrafted in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft. While it was a crushing blow to his dream of playing in the professional ranks, he remains motivated by dedicating his every game to his family and of course to his suportive fans.
Staying in the MPBL may somehow turn as a blessing in disguise for Eman Calo as the Tigers are just a win away from reaching again the MPBL National Finals. Should the Davao Occidental Tigers dispatch the Basilan Steel in their upcoming do-or-die match, Eman Calo will have a shot in redeeming himself and avenging a heartbreaking loss against the San Juan Knights in the deciding game five (5).
The pain of letting the championship trophy slip on your hands right in front of your home crowd is difficult to forget. For Eman Calo, he learned his lesson the hard way.
To recall, the Davao Occidental Tigers were poised to win the Datu Cup as they led the San Juan Knights by seven (7) points entering the final two (2) minutes of the do-or-die game 5. Unfortunately, a series of mental lapses by the Tigers allowed the Knights to turn the game around.
First, Joseph Terso launched and missed an ill-advised three (3) pointer even though they had a lot of time to burn. In the succeeding possession, nobody boxed-out Larry Rodriguez who tipped in an air ball from Mike Ayonayon. To make matters worse, a weak pass by the Tigers was stolen by Jhonard Clarito who converted it to a layup at the other end to pull the Knights within a point, 84-83, at the 1:01 mark of the final quarter.
Moments later, Mark Yee dropped both of his charities to extend their lead, 86-83. Jhonard Clarito, however, answered back after he corraled another offensive rebound to cut the deficit, 86-85, with 41 ticks left.
The Tiger's killer instinct definitely left the building in their ensuing possession as Eman Calo unwisely misfired a triple with 14 seconds remaining on their shot clock. Such costly blunder allowed the Knights to setup a Jhonard Clarito game winner.
With 9 seconds left and one last chance to salvage the win, the Tigers inbounded the ball to Eman Calo as they no longer had a timeout. Calo then hurriedly drove all the way to the basket but the Knight's defense forced him to make a well-challenged and difficult shot with 5 seconds left. Game over.
Be that as it may, Eman Calo and the rest of the Tigers had already put that bitter memory behind them. The core of their team from last season remained intact and Eman Calo believes that their strong team spirit can carry them through another title run.
Winning the Lakan Cup will be a sort of vindication for Eman Calo who has always been underrated since he started his basketball journey at the Unversity of the Visayas (UV). A former high school Sepak Takraw player, Eman Calo tried out for the UV lancers in 2007 and was accepted but as an undertrainee. It was only in 2009 when he became part of the regular team.
On that same year, Eman Calo won his only CeSAFI Title with UV as part of the regular team. It was incidentally the last of a 9-peat championship for UV which dominated CeSAFI since its inception in 2001.
On his last two (2) years with UV, Eman Calo and his team lost their title to the Junemar Fajardo-led University Of Cebu Webmasters who reign supreme in the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 CeSAFI seasons. After his collegiate years, Eman Calo then made a living playing basketball for various ligang labas including a short stint with the PBA D-league.
All he wanted is to follow the footsteps of his idol and kuya Arnold Calo who played with the San Miguel Beermen in the Professional Basketball Association (PBA).
Eman Calo is definitely working each day to improve his craft even at this time of a pandemic. In fact, he does core exercises, runs, shoots and practices some drills to stay fit and ready if and when their game three (3) rubber match against the Basilan Steel will push through.
No doubt, this pandemic will soon end and we hope to see Eman Calo and thousand more basketball players all over the world hit the courts. In the meantime, stay at home and keep safe!
The 6'0 shooting guard is the third (3rd) leading scorer for the Tigers behind Mark Yee and Billy Robles as he is dropping 9.2 points each game. But inspite of such distinction, Eman Calo thinks his defense is his biggest contribution to the team.
"Ang mahalagang contribution ko siguro sa team is my energy, much more on the defensive side. Wala kasing malas sa depensa, Eman Calo told Ligang Pinoy in a chat interview."
True enough, he has been helping his team in so many ways. On top of scoring, his pesky defense in the perimeter led to 1.6 steals while grabbing 3.6 rebounds and dishing 2.2 dimes per outing during the ongoing Lakan Cup where his team topped the South Division for the second consecutive season.
Eman Calo is making the most out of his stint in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) after he was left undrafted in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft. While it was a crushing blow to his dream of playing in the professional ranks, he remains motivated by dedicating his every game to his family and of course to his suportive fans.
Staying in the MPBL may somehow turn as a blessing in disguise for Eman Calo as the Tigers are just a win away from reaching again the MPBL National Finals. Should the Davao Occidental Tigers dispatch the Basilan Steel in their upcoming do-or-die match, Eman Calo will have a shot in redeeming himself and avenging a heartbreaking loss against the San Juan Knights in the deciding game five (5).
The pain of letting the championship trophy slip on your hands right in front of your home crowd is difficult to forget. For Eman Calo, he learned his lesson the hard way.
"Marami akong natutunan sa pagkatalo namin sa National Finals. Kailangan na seryosohin ang laro at dapat may killer instinct talaga- yun bang laro na parang wala ng bukas, Eman Calo lamented their stunning defeat."
To recall, the Davao Occidental Tigers were poised to win the Datu Cup as they led the San Juan Knights by seven (7) points entering the final two (2) minutes of the do-or-die game 5. Unfortunately, a series of mental lapses by the Tigers allowed the Knights to turn the game around.
First, Joseph Terso launched and missed an ill-advised three (3) pointer even though they had a lot of time to burn. In the succeeding possession, nobody boxed-out Larry Rodriguez who tipped in an air ball from Mike Ayonayon. To make matters worse, a weak pass by the Tigers was stolen by Jhonard Clarito who converted it to a layup at the other end to pull the Knights within a point, 84-83, at the 1:01 mark of the final quarter.
Moments later, Mark Yee dropped both of his charities to extend their lead, 86-83. Jhonard Clarito, however, answered back after he corraled another offensive rebound to cut the deficit, 86-85, with 41 ticks left.
The Tiger's killer instinct definitely left the building in their ensuing possession as Eman Calo unwisely misfired a triple with 14 seconds remaining on their shot clock. Such costly blunder allowed the Knights to setup a Jhonard Clarito game winner.
With 9 seconds left and one last chance to salvage the win, the Tigers inbounded the ball to Eman Calo as they no longer had a timeout. Calo then hurriedly drove all the way to the basket but the Knight's defense forced him to make a well-challenged and difficult shot with 5 seconds left. Game over.
Be that as it may, Eman Calo and the rest of the Tigers had already put that bitter memory behind them. The core of their team from last season remained intact and Eman Calo believes that their strong team spirit can carry them through another title run.
"Wala kasing star player sa amin. Also, we are not just a basketball team. We are one big happy family, expressed Eman Calo."
Winning the Lakan Cup will be a sort of vindication for Eman Calo who has always been underrated since he started his basketball journey at the Unversity of the Visayas (UV). A former high school Sepak Takraw player, Eman Calo tried out for the UV lancers in 2007 and was accepted but as an undertrainee. It was only in 2009 when he became part of the regular team.
On that same year, Eman Calo won his only CeSAFI Title with UV as part of the regular team. It was incidentally the last of a 9-peat championship for UV which dominated CeSAFI since its inception in 2001.
"Nag-tryout ako sa University of the Visayas (UV). Tapos naging two (2) years undertrainee ako bago ako naging regular player talaga ng UV. Ayun, nag-sacrifice ako at napasama ako sa talagang varsity team ng UV. Naabutan ko pa sila Greg Slaughter, Sila Chris Diputado, Sila Dennison yung kuya ni Ron, explained Eman Calo to Anton Roxas of The Score."
On his last two (2) years with UV, Eman Calo and his team lost their title to the Junemar Fajardo-led University Of Cebu Webmasters who reign supreme in the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 CeSAFI seasons. After his collegiate years, Eman Calo then made a living playing basketball for various ligang labas including a short stint with the PBA D-league.
All he wanted is to follow the footsteps of his idol and kuya Arnold Calo who played with the San Miguel Beermen in the Professional Basketball Association (PBA).
"Idol kong local player is kuya ko siyempre, si Arnold. Kasi siya sinasabihan niya ako na ganito dapat gawin mo bunso. Ganito dapat, dapat disiplina kaya idol ko kuya ko. Tapos nagpapasalamat ako dahil kung hindi sa kanila, hindi ako makakarating dito ngayon, recalled Eman Calo."
He may have not reached yet what his brother Arnold achieved but Eman Calo keeps on pushing and fighting for his dreams. His unwavering perseverance is something he also wants to impart to young ballers who are aspiring to be a professional player someday.
"Sa mga kabataang may pangarap maging isang basketball player, just focus on what you dream of. Hindi magiging madali ang lahat, kailangang mag pursige palagi at dapat niyo isipin palagi na kaya niyo. Push yourself with no limits, tiwala sa sarili. At kung ano man ang tatahakin niyong landas, andyan lagi si God, hinding hindi kayo iiwan sa ere, advised Eman Calo."
Eman Calo is definitely working each day to improve his craft even at this time of a pandemic. In fact, he does core exercises, runs, shoots and practices some drills to stay fit and ready if and when their game three (3) rubber match against the Basilan Steel will push through.
No doubt, this pandemic will soon end and we hope to see Eman Calo and thousand more basketball players all over the world hit the courts. In the meantime, stay at home and keep safe!
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