"Lahat naman gusto mag-champion, basta ang mindset ko lang every game is to win and to make my teammates look good sa laro."
This is Val Acuña's mentality every time he steps inside the court. It was the same philosophy which brought him so many titles and individual achievements in different leagues.
He could possibly be the winningest active player in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) in terms of the number of championship trophies won in different basketball leagues. He bagged four (4) championship trophies in the PBA which includes the 2012 Commissioner's Cup, 2013 Governor's Cup, 2013-2014 Philippine Cup, and the 2014 Commissioner's Cup. On top of that, he also secured two championship crowns during his 2010 (Philippine Patriots) and 2013 (San Miguel Beermen) stint in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).
In addition, he made history as the inaugural Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the MPBL in its first ever season known as the Rajah Cup. During the said season, he averaged 13.47 points, 2.88 rebounds and 1.24 assists per game.
He then carried his dominance into the finals series where he helped the Batangas City Tanduay Athletics bring home the very first Championship Trophy in the MPBL after they dumped the Muntinlupa Cagers, 3-1, in their best-of-five series. While he was rewarded as the MVP that time, Val Acuña deeply appreciates the trust that was given to him and the chemistry they had in the team which made it somehow easier to hurdle the challenges they met during their historic title run.
"Challenges madami, pero yun nga swerte din sa mga naging kasama sa team noong unang season, malaki tiwala nila sa akin, at maganda po ang samahan kaya po lahat kami kumpiyansa sa game, shared Val Acuña in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy."
Val Acuña, unfortunately, was injured prior to the start of the second MPBL season or the Datu Cup which caused him to miss several games after the start of the tournament. When he returned to the lineup, his performance was somehow nowhere near his MVP form.
Without a clear go-to-guy, the defending champions Batangas City Athletics eventually struggled at the early part of the MPBL Datu Cup which at that time was participated by 26 teams. Fortunately for them, the arrival of Jeff Viernes steadied the ship and they found ways to stay competitive.
The Batangas City Athletics squad finished the elimination round as the second seed in the South Division with a record of 15 wins and 10 losses. In the playoffs, they dispatched the Imus Banderas during the first round then they sent home the Zamboanga City Family's Brand Sardines in the next round to arrange a South Division Finals with the Davao Occidental Tigers.
The Davao Occidental Tigers, however, proved to be the better team after they dethroned the defending champions, 2-1, in their best-of-three semi-finals series.
After his team failed to defend its crown, Val Acuña demanded a trade during the off-season prior to the opening of the 2019-2020 Lakan Cup. The trade, however, didn't materialize so he played 12 games for Batangas City where he averaged 7.7 markers a game at a 28.6% shooting clip in the Lakan Season. He also added 3.3 boards and 1.1 dimes per outing.
He was then traded to the Valenzuela City Classics at the later part of the season. Interestingly, Val Acuña's shooting improved after the trade. In his seven (7) games with Valenzuela City, he increased his output to 13.1 points a game at a more efficient shooting of 37.4% while playing the same minutes he logged with Batangas. His sniping from beyond the arc likewise became more accurate to 34.2% from 25.6%.
Perhaps his transfer to a new city is the catalyst he needs to rekindle his MVP form. It could also be the new environment or home crowd that makes him play better. Whatever it is, Val Acuña greatly feels the support given by the management and fans of his new team although he only wore a Val City jersey seven (7) times.
"Okay naman kahit ilang games pa lang. Pinakita nila agad sa akin ang tiwala ng team at management. Sinuportahan din ako agad ng mga fans ng val City, answered Val Acuña owhen asked how's his stay so far with the team. "
The 33-year old guard is turning 34 this year. As he is already approaching the twilight of his storied career, his last dance is maybe with Valenzuela City who he thinks can be a championship contender as long as the players trust each other and are willing to sacrifice to get the win.
"Tiwala, dedication, at magandang chemistry at mga player na willing mag sacrifice, said Val Acuña on what he thinks Val City needs to win a crown."
Should he succeed in winning a crown with Valenzuela City, it will be a fitting end for his basketball journey which commenced when his father taught him to play ball at the age of 10. After graduating from Isabela National High School, he joined his friend Eric Suguitan to try out with the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors.
As fate would have it, they both made the cut then debut on the 2004 season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) with the UE Red Warriors that bannered notable players such as the high-flying Elmer Espiritu, Pari Llagas, and Rudy Lingganay.
Val Acuña went to the UAAP finals twice with the Red Warriors. The first was on 2007 where they were swept by the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers after they won all of their elimination games. Second was on 2009 when they bowed out to the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles.
Without a doubt, basketball has since been a big part of Val Acuña's life. He picked up lessons along the way which he wishes to share to thousands of young ballers who aspire of playing in the professional ranks someday.
Val Acuña went to the UAAP finals twice with the Red Warriors. The first was on 2007 where they were swept by the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers after they won all of their elimination games. Second was on 2009 when they bowed out to the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles.
Without a doubt, basketball has since been a big part of Val Acuña's life. He picked up lessons along the way which he wishes to share to thousands of young ballers who aspire of playing in the professional ranks someday.
"Ang advice ko lang sa mga kabataan na gusto umabot sa pro ay maging disiplinado sa sarili. Alam naman natin na maraming pwedeng dahilan para makapag pabaya sa ating sarili at sa ating paglalaro. Maging masipag at masikap sa praktis. Huwag nilang biruin ang pagbabasketbol, seryosohin nila dahil malaking bagay ang maitutulong nito hindi lang sa sarili nila pati na din sa mga magulang nila. Nakakatulong din ang basketbol para makapag-aral ng libre sa mga malalaking unibersidad, advised Val Acuña to all the kids who dream of reaching the pros."
He also reminds the young hoopers to always believe in their abilities and of course to always pray to the Lord.
"Magtiwala palagi sa sarili at higit sa lahat, palaging ipanalangin at hingin ang gabay ng Diyos sa lahat ng gagawin. Madaming pagsubok at hadlang, maging matatag lang palagi, added Val Acuña."
To the kids out there, heed his advice. Trust him, he'd been there.
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