It has been four (4) grueling months already since the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) last played its game of the Lakan Cup on March 13, 2020. To date, the Southern and Northern Division Champions is yet to be determined with the San Juan Knights, Makati Supercrunch, Basilan Steel, and the Davao Occidental Tigers patiently waiting for the resumption of the games.
During that lull, we have featured several young players who are aspiring to be MPBL players someday. Last week we focused the spotlight on the story of Mr. Alvin Cabaluna who, despite his height, has pursued his passion of playing basketball.
This time, we highlight Mark Allan Duarte who is a promising high school player from the established basketball program of the Mapua Red Robins.
Mark Duarte was born on the year 2001 in Candaba, Pampanga. He currently stands at 6'0 and plays shooting guard or small forward for the Red Robins.
His passion for basketball started at a young age after his father invited him to watch James Yap play basketball on live television. Since then, he was inspired to pick up a basketball and be a professional basketball player like his father's idol.
"When I was a grade 8 student, I saw my father watching basketball league in our television. He called me and said, 'anak panuorin mo tong player na to dahil ito ang isa sa hinahangaan ko maglaro'. Simula nun na inspire akong panuorin maglaro at gayahin si James Yap at ginanahan ako maglaro ng basketball, said Mark Duarte in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy."
A year later, Mark Duarte started playing basketball with his peers. The start of his basketball journey was not as pleasant as he expected since he was belittled by his playmates given his lack of experience and skill at that time.
It even came to a point that he cried but his perseverance prevailed. Instead of giving up and quit altogether, he took it as a challenge upon himself to improve his game and become stronger. Inspired to get better, he put on the works by practicing even under the sweltering heat of the sun. His skin might have been darkened by the sun, so much so that he was called a "solar boy", but he didn't mind.
"Pag tungtong ko ng grade 9, nag start na ako maglaro at syempre maraming nag mamalaliit sayo dahil hinde ka nga marunong ganyan naiyak pa ako nun pero ginagawa kong inspirasyon mga yun at nagsanay talaga ako kahit tanghaling tapat naglalaro ako tawag na nga sakin nun e "solar boy" kasi sobrang itim ko na nun, Mark Duarte recalled."
It didn't took long before Mark Duarte experienced playing for "pustahan" against other basketball players in their neighborhood. He was hesitant at first to play for pot money but he realized that he can improve his game on the process so he didn't back down from the challenge. True enough, his confidence was boosted.
"One day may nag-aya sakin na pustahan e ako hinde pa ako mahilig sa ganun pustahan smepre kakabahan ka sobra lumaban na ako inisip ko kasi nun makapag laro lang ako and ma chachallenge ako pag ganun at nanalo kami and medyo tumaas kumpiyansa sa sarili."
With his confidence growing, he took his chance and participated in various basketball leagues in his barangay. In one of the games he played, he heard that a certain coach named JP Magbitang will be scouting some players. When Coach JP Magbitang invited one of Mark Duarte's teammate to try out for a private school, he joined his teammate to try their luck.
Mark Duarte endured so many hardships during his tryout. At one point, he reported to practice although he didn't have enough allowance to pay for his transportation expense and food. Inspite of the difficulties, Mark Duarte kept the faith as he prayed and worked hard just to achieve his dreams.
"Nakipag saparalan ako smepre nag pray lang ako makuha sana and yun sabe mag work hard lang ako pagpatuloy kolang minsan nga wala ako pamasahe nangungutang ako sa kapit bahay makapunta lang sa school at makapractice walang laman ang sikmura kasi nga walang pera lahat lahat yun tiniis ko para makapasok sa school nayun sabi nga nila na huwag mo madaliin. Kapag mindali mo, talo ka."
His determination paid dividends. Mark Duarte was eventually accepted into the basketball team of Montesori De San Ildefonso (MDSI) which he represented in various tournaments including BulPRISA, Provincial 1, Provincial 2, and Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA).
Afterwards, Coach JP Magbitang told him to tryout for the High School basketball program of Mapua. He and some of his teammates heeded Coach Magbitang's advice so they proceeded to Mapua to compete for a slot in its basketball team. Just like any other aspirant, Mark Duarte was nervous due to the fear that he might not be accepted but he eventually made the cut.
"So ayon tanggap kame syempre masaya pero eto na yung tinatawag na reality syempre bagong school,coach,teammates sobrang hirap pala mag adjust. Syempre sa una mahirap pero kailangan tiisin para sa aking pangarap."
Mark Duarte was tasked to man the wings as a small forward and shooting guard for the Red Robins. Some say that the said role is very challenging to fulfill but he is having none of it. He knows that with hard work and the right attitude, he can excel in the court. Needless to say, excellence doesn't come without challenges. For Mark Duarte, adjusting his game to fit the new system of his new coach and team was the most challenging part.
"Walang mahirap at madali sa larong ito, kailangan mo lang talaga mag work hard pero may time din talaga na nahihirapan ako pero kailangan iovercome ito mahirap lang talaga when yung pag palit ng system from one system to another from different coaches."
It was indeed a rocky start for Mark Duarte in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Juniors Division Season 95 since he was not able to join the opening of the NCAA. He was only able to play, albeit sparingly, in the second round of the eliminations. Again, it didn't deter Mark Duarte from moving forward to fulfill his basketball dream.
"Kailangan ko pang more time at work hard para sa susunod na season upang magamit na ako."
Since basketball remains suspended, Mark Duarte is determined to improve his game this off season. In particular, he wants to improve his shooting skills and his ability to read the defense.
He is setting his eyes on the prize. He wants to become like his idol James Yap who is known as a leader and bigtime shot player. He knows that more work needs to be done but he remains optimistic that he can succeed.
"Kaya sa mga young ballers na patuloy na Nangangarap especially sa mga probinsyanos na katulad ko, don't stop working, Respeto sa kapwa na huwag husgaan, pagtawanan at pintasan ang kapwa dahil hindi ka perpekto. Ang paghusga sa kapwa ay paghusga sa nilikha ng Diyos. Be Positive in Life and Always be patient and humble. Always have faith in GOD and pray in everything that you do anuman ang plano mo sa buhay, be grateful. Thank God for what you have and for the things that have not happened in your life yet."
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