Starting today, we will be featuring young hoopers who are aspiring to play someday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). It's not a secret that there's no shortage of basketball players in the Philippines where basketball is a religion.
Be that as it may, not all players are given the same opportunity or exposure to show their skills and talents. Let's be frank. If you don't come from the big universities and high school programs, your chance of getting into the professional rank is somehow slimmer.
Even then, there are many players who are equally deserving of opportunities but are not scouted. This is why we are using our facebook page as a platform to feature young aspirants, especially those from little-known schools or provinces, who are dreaming of playing professional basketball someday. In our own little way, we get to be part of their journey.
Our featured player in this article is Mr. Albert Philip Paciente, a 5'6 guard from Lipa City, Batangas who started playing basketball when he was nine (9) years old. Together with his friends, he joined several basketball leagues in the mosquito division.
"Kasali ako noon sa mga liga na kung tawagin ay mosquito. Hindi pa ako maalam maglaro noon, hanggang sa pinasahan ako ng bola at naipasok. Tuwang tuwa ako noon kase mas matanda sa akin mga kalaban ko. So ayun, nagtuloy tuloy na yung laro ko, said Albert Paciente in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy."
His love and passion for basketball gradually grew from there. He and his friends participated in a 3x3 basketball tournament where they competed against players from private schools who were more stronger and experienced than them.
They didn't bring home the Championship trophy but at least he gained some lessons.
"Ang natutunan ko naman sa paglalaro nito ay dapat papasa ka, huwag laging matakaw sa laro. Dapat may teamwork kasi ito ang key para magtagumpay sa laro, recalled Albert Paciente."
The next tournament he joined is an inter-barangay league which was co-organized by his grandfather. It was a big competition as 72 barangays from fielded a team.
At the age of 14, Albert Paciente played in some ligang labas where he matched up against players who had stint in the Palarong Pambansa. Such matchup proved helpful as his game evolved and his character matured.
He also learned to respect those older than him and to be a role model to the younger ones. As they say, respect begets respect.
He was later recruited to represent Pinagtongulan Integrated National High School at the 2019 West District Meet in Lipa City. While he got limited minutes, he was nonetheless grateful for the opportunity to compete with the eventual champions De La Salle Lipa.
Albert Paciente is dreaming big. He wants to try out for the Ateneo De Manila University or De La Salle University so that he can further hone his skill if given the chance.
"Nais ko mag-kolehiyo sa Ateneo or DLSU sa Manila kaya sa darating na panahon nais kong mag try-out sa mga nasabing school. Gagawin ko ng 100% ang lahat ng aking makakaya. Kung mabigyan ako ng opportunity makuha sa school ng Ateneo or La Salle, promise ko sa coaches ibibigay ko lahat ng todo para sa ikakapanalo ng team, explained Albert Paciente."
It's not surprising why Albert Paciente is looking forward to studying in these universities. Aside from the fact that their basketball programs are top notch, their academic courses are also well respected.
A quality education will come handy if a professional career in basketball will not pan out for Albert Paciente. With a College degree from a reputable school, he can apply for a job in the government or in a corporate setting.
As a matter of fact, Albert Paciente wants to be a police officer as well. A college degree will allow him to immediately apply for an officership training and be commissioned as an officer.
But his priority is to be a professional basketball player. In the future, he wants to play for the Batangas City Tanduay Athletics, which is of course the hometown team for the Batangueńos, in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
"Gusto ko ipakita sa buong Pilipinas ang aking talento. Naway mabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na makapaglaro sa MPBL."
Quite surprisingly, his idol in the MPBL does not come from his hometown team. Rather, he idolizes Kenneth Mocon who plays for the Davao Occidental Tigers.
"Ang idol ko sa MPBL ay si Kenneth Mocon kase siya talaga yung napaka humble na player para sa akin. Sobrang bait niya nung nakausap ko at nag suggest siya para sa ikabubuti ng aking basketball career."
In order to achieve his dream, Albert Paciente is making every day counts. He is always looking for ways to improve his craft. In this time of pandemic, for instance, he is striving to get stronger.
"Ngayong quarantine, nais kong magpalakas pa. Kaya nagte-training ako ng sobra kasi gusto kong maging MPBL or PBA player. Gusto ko din i-representa ang Pilipinas sa larangan ng basketball."
He may have to wait a little longer before he can actually play full contact basketball. As of the moment, 5-on-5 basketball is still not allowed in all parts of the country.
Worse, all the basketball leagues in the Philippines are suspended indefinitely. These include the PBA, MPBL, UAAP, and the NCAA.
Hence, we do not have any basketball to watch and we badly miss our MPBL games. We will have to be contented with watching re-runs of the Lakan Cup. Elimination games. Fortunately, the NBA is scheduled to return this end of July so we have something to look forward to.
Albert Paciente joins the billion of people around the world in praying that the covid-19 pandemic will vanish so that he can already play on the court together with his friends and teammates. Like us, he is also longing for the day that everything will return to normal.
"Ang tanging hiling ko ngayon ay mawala na ang covid upang makapaglaro na ako/kami. Madaming Pilipino ang gumagawa ng paraan para makapaglaro sa mga liga pero hindi nila magawa dahil sa crisis."
We are rooting for you young man.
Dream big! Work hard! We all hope you will make it.
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