Alwin Alday already made a reputation in various recreational basketball tournaments before he joined the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) which is the fastest growing league in the country today. He is now making a name for himself as one of the reliable playmakers in his three (3) seasons so far of playing in the MPBL.
His basketball journey started when his father taught him to play basketball at the age of 10. He actually didn't like the game at first but he eventually fell in love with the sport, as he had no choice but to play with his classmates in elementary school.
"Mga classmate ko elementary mahilig sila maglaro. So no choice ako makipaglaro kahit di ko pa naman hilig noon. Pero nung tumagal, nagustuhan ko na. Tas ayun, tuloy tuloy na, recalled Alwin Alday in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy."
He then became a basketball varsity starting from his second year of secondary education at the Holy Child Catholic School which is located near his home in Tondo, Manila. His passion for basketball grew further in his college years at La Consolacion where he was discovered by current Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors head coach Bong Dela Cruz during an intramural basketball game.
"Sa Laco talaga nag start. Naglaro ako sa intrams tas doon ako nakita ni coach Bong Dela Cruz. Pinagpractice niya na ako sa team. Tas after nun naging player niya na ako simula 2010-2012. Tas ayun, tuloy tuloy na ako mag-basketball ng competitive, added Alwin Alday."
Alwin Alday considers every game he played in college as memorable especially those against teams from bigger universities in the Father Martin's Cup. His team went to the finals of the Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association (ISAA) twice but they unfortunately went home empty-handed after they were crushed by the Lyceum Of The Philippines University (LPU) Pirates in 2010 and the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) Engineers the following year.
After his collegiate stint, Alwin Alday had to set aside his pursuit of professional basketball in order to focus on his hardware business. Nonetheless, basketball still ran deep in his blood so he found ways to continue hooping while tending his store.
He continued to play pickup games in his neighborhood before he opened his hardware in the morning and right after he closed his shop. On weekends, he participated in various commercial and recreational leagues.
"Nag-focus muna ako sa business namin. Pero di pa din nawawala sa akin ang basketball. Halos every morning from 5:30am to 7:00am bago ako mag-open ng store naglalaro ako ng basketball sa may court malapit sa amin. Tapos after store naman, mga 5pm, maglalaro uli ako kasi madaming liga dito sa Tondo kapag gabi. Kapag wala naman, maglalaro lang ako ng hapon. Tapos pagdating naman ng weekends, naglalaro ako sa mga commercial leagues. Syempre kapag hilig natin basketball, hindi tayo mawawalan ng time jan, explained Alwin Alday."
Unkown to him competing in various commercial leagues became his ticket to bigger stages as he met several basketball enthusiasts who valued his skills. He took his talent to the Philippine Basketbal Association Developmental League (PBA D-League) when Zark's Burger, one of his team in a commercial league, fielded a squad in the said league.
Alwin Alday found himself later in the MPBL after another one of his teams, Royal Manila, entered the league as Quezon City Capitals.
"Malaki talaga utang na loob ko sa mga kaibigan ko na nakilala ko sa mga Commercial leagues. Kung hindi dahil sa kanila hindi ako makakalaro dito sa MPBL."
Alwin Alday became a key piece in the back court rotation of coach Vis Valencia in the Quezon City Capitals together with Joco Tayongtong and Hesed Gabo during the Datu Cup. In that season, he averaged 7.28 points, 3.55 rebounds, 1.83 assists, 0.83 steals in 18.94 minutes of playing time each game to help the Capitals secure the seventh seed in the North Division and arrange a first round battle against the streaking Makati Supercrunch in the playoffs.
The majority expected an easy win by the Makati Supercrunch but Alwin Alday and the rest of the Capitals pulled off a shocker. They swept the Makati Supercrunch in their best of three (3) series although they eventually succumbed to the San Juan Knights in the second round.
"Memorable yun kasi walang mag-aakala na tatalunin namin ang Makati. Before namin sila makalaban, tinambakan kami ng 30-points ata. Tapos ang momentum nasa kanila kasi 15-game winning streak sila papasok ng playoffs. Ang gameplan lang namin is maglaro lang kasi nothing to lose lang naman kami. Tsaka iba na ang laruan sa playoffs. Kaya naglaro lang kami kung ano yung laro namin, ayun nagresulta naman sa panalo."
Alwin Alday's season performance with the Quezon City Capitals earned the attention of several teams. He was invited by his former Coach Bong Dela Cruz to try out with the rebuilding Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors but he eventually decided to join Coach Monel Kallos who recruited him to play alongside ex-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) guard Ronjay Buenafe for the expansion team Bicol Volcanoes who were looking for a point guard at that time. Although he was more comfortable as shooting guard, he accepted the challenge of manning the point guard position.
"Dumating yung Bicol [Volcanoes] kelangan daw nila ng point guard. Tingin nila kaya ko naman mag point or sabi nila combo guard. Para sa akin, may matutunan uli ako kaya tinanggap ko yung role."
Alwin Alday felt he made the right decision to be the court general for the Bicol Volcanoes. He became coach Monel's extension inside the basketball court as he was in charge of setting the plays and organizing their offense. Consequently, his game evolved as he learned to think quickly and adjust in-game.
His game likewise benefited from valuable lessons given by his veteran teammates that include ex-pros Ronjay Buenafe, Alex Nuyles, and Jonathan Aldave. Not every player got the chance to share the court with more experienced players so Alwin Alday made it a point to imbibe the tips and tricks bestowed upon him.
"Malaking bagay kasi madami ka matutunan sa kanila. Tsaka hindi sila mahirap lapitan kasi sila mismo lalapit sayo kapag may nakikita sila na dapat i-improve sa game mo. Bihira ka magkaroon ng kakampi na ex-pro na sobrang bait at willing turuan ka. Kaya grateful ako na naging teammates ko sila."
The Bicol Volcanoes ended the elimination round as the eighth (8th) seed in the Southern Division. They almost dropped the upset axe against the first seed Davao Occidental Tigers in the third and final game of their best-of-three series but they had no answer against Mark Yee in overtime.
"Walang magaakala na tatalunin namin ang Davao [Occidental]. Parang tinanong mo #1 vs #8? parang no brainer, sure #1 pipiliin nila. Pero ayun yung ginawa namin na motivation. Na pakita namin na kaya namin talunin yung #1 di lang para sa amin pero para sa buong Bicol na sumusuporta at naniniwala sa amin."
It was a sorry loss for Alwin Alday and the rest of the Volcanoes who were gunning for a historic upset of the number one seed Davao Occidental Tigers. Be that as it may, the future looks bright for him notwithstanding the Covid-19 pandemic.
As the MPBL remains suspended, Alwin Alday is focusing right now at his hardware business. Will he apply at the next PBA draft?
It's not a priority for the 30-year old guard as he wants to concentrate on his MPBL career where he wants to be a champion but he is not discounting a possible shot at the PBA draft in spite of his age.
Age is just a number Mr. Alday. May you find success in all your endeavors.
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