There seems to be no sign of the Corona Virus slowing down. As of this writing, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,019 additional cases which brings the total cases in the Philippines to 78,412 since Covid-19 reached our country.
As it appears, basketball is nowhere near from returning. While the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has been able to get the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) for the resumption of team practices, it remains to be seen if full contact 5-on-5 games will be allowed.
It may also take some time before a vaccine becomes commercially available. Many countries are currently engaged in a frenetic race to develop an effective vaccine against the Corona Virus but it seems the very first vial may only be rolled out late this year or early 2021.
Be that as it may, we continue to write basketball stories that we hope will somehow ease our readers' thirst for basketball action. If you have just stumbled recently upon our blog, you can like our facebook page MPBL RESULTS for more stories.
This week, we focus our attention on Rocky Acidre who is one of the top 3-pointers in the fledgling Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
Rocky Acidre is a 5'11 guard from the historic town of Balangiga, Samar. Does his hometown ring a bell? Pretty sure it did since Balangiga is part of our history. To recall, a surprise attack by Filipinos during the Philippine-American war led to the killing of around 54 American soldiers in Balangiga.
The defeat led to a deadly retaliation by the Americans led by General Jacob Smith who is notorious for making Samar a howling wilderness. It will be remembered that the Americans looted as war booty the bell of the church but the same was flown back to the Philippines in 2018 after President Duterte repeatedly demanded for its return.
Back to basketball, it was Rocky Acidre's father and uncles who introduce him to the world of hoops. Fascinated by their championship exploits in various leagues and tournaments, he made it a point to follow their footsteps or even go further. Rocky Acidre then took his passion a notch higher as he enlisted for a formal training with the renowned basketball training program of MILO Best Center.
"Nag enroll ako sa MILO best center mula level 1-4. Naging competitive ako sa lahat ng level, kasi nakasanayang kong napapanuod sila papa at uncle ko na palage silang champion sa mga liga kaya kinalakihan ko yung winning attitude. Nakakuha ako ng mga awards sa MILO Best Center at may mga nag rerecruit na magandang schools, said Rocky Acidre in an interview with Ligang Pinoy."
As Rocky Acidre was eyeing to join some competitive basketball programs, his entire family went back to Balangiga, Eastern Samar. He had no choice but to give up some good opportunities to train and develop in big elementary and high schools in the metro. Nonetheless, he didn't quit his quest for basketball glory.
"Hindi ako na give up! Sa province tuloy tuloy parin yung practice ko hanggang sa nag graduate ako ng highschool. Talagang desidido ako makapag laro kaya lumuwas kami ng Manila ni mama at naghanap ng pwde mag pag tryoutan, Rocky Acidre added."
After numerous tryouts, Rocky Acidre found his team with the Philippine Maritime Institute (PMI) Colleges which has a good basketball program. It was in PMI where he developed confidence in his basketball skills and realized that he can someday play in front of Filipinos on live television, a dream he shared with his family.
"Ayun yong pangarap ng family ko. Sila ang naging inspirasyon dahil alam kong magiging masaya sila pag naging isang ganap na akong manlalaro kaya sinipagan ko sa practice. Yung daily routine ko simula nung bata ako, ginagawa ko padin hanggang sa ngayon."
With great confidence, Rocky Acidre decided to spread his wings further and try his luck with bigger universities in order to achieve his dream of playing in national TV. He tried out with the basketball teams of National University (NU) of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU), and Arellano University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
His perseverance and hard work paid off as he eventually landed a spot with the Arellano University Chiefs. He still can't forget the ecstatic moment when he received the good news through the University's bulletin board.
Unfortunately, his happiness was short-lived. His father passed away just a few weeks after he was accepted in Arellano and such lost took a toll on his outlook in life. From being optimistic, he suddenly lost interest and passion to play basketball. Luckily, her mother was able to support and convince him to continue his basketball journey since it is his father's dream to see him reach the pros.
"Sa sobrang lungkot ko parang ayoko ng maglaro ng basketball, pero hindi pala ganun ang buhay! Kinausap ako ng mama ko na pangarap ng papa mo yan sayo kaya ituloy mo! Naging matatag nalang ako sa mga oras na yon, pinilet kong labanan ang stress at pagod na dala dala ko."
Rocky Acidre soldiered on. He became a regular player for the Arellano Chiefs for three (3) years in the NCAA where he was able to showcase his basketball prowess. On top of that, he also gained maturity and more experienced when he played in the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League (PBA D-league) for the Blackwater team under coach Leo Isaac.
After his collegiate and developmental league stint, Rocky Acidre applied for the PBA Draft. But as fate would have it, he was not drafted. To make matters worse, his mother and younger brother joined his father in heaven.
It was at that moment that he almost quit basketball for good but he kept the faith. At the lowest point of his life, Rocky Acidre drew strength from the sport that he loved. Basketball gave him comfort and the needed respite from all his problems.
"Pumanaw din ang mama ko at bunsong kapatid ko. Gusto ko na talagang bumitaw sa basketball ng mga oras na yon. Umabot pa sa point na naglalaro ako habang nakaburol kapatid kong bunso, hindi ko nga alam saan ako kumukuha ng lakas kasi wala akong maayos na pahinga at tulog pero pag nahahawakan ko yung bola at naglalaro ako, nakakalimutan ko lahat ng problema. Basketball court pala ang comfortable place ko. Ito pala ang katulong ko para makapag survive sa buhay."
The barrage of problems didn't stop Rocky Acidre from pursuing his dreams. When the MPBL was organized, he got another chance to prove his worth and display his skills before thousands of Filipinos watching on primetime television. He built his reputation as a marksman from the three (3) point line with the Valenzuela City Classic before he transferred the following season to the Bacoor City Strikers.
Sadly, the 2020-2021 season has been cancelled but Rocky Acidre is the type of basketball player who will not easily give up. Like the hundreds of other MPBL players, he is eagerly waiting for the resumption of the league. For now, he has a piece of advice for the rest of us.
"Kahit gaano kasakit ang pinaramdam sayo ng mundo, huwag mong ibalik sa kanila ang sakit na naramdaman mo. Remember , Jesus was betrayed by His Apostles but he still chose to die for our sins. Stay kind even though the world is unfair."
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