Choi Ignacio's basketball journey started when he was a 10-year old kid at his hometown in Kasanyangan, Zamboanga City. He developed his love for basketball as he regularly played after his classes in a half basketball court near their house.
It didn't take long for him to try his luck by joining basketball try-outs. When he was in first year high school, he was asked to try out for his school's varsity team while he was watching the practice session of a college varsity team.
While the timing might not have been perfect, he did try out but only for a day. He found the training difficult so he didn't return in the succeeding sessions.
"Nag try-out ako isang araw lang tapos hindi na ako bumalik kasi parang nahirapan ako dahil siguro hindi pa ako masyadong focus sa pag-basketball, said Choi Ignacio in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy."
Choi Ignacio tried again his luck upon reaching third year high school. He again joined the try-outs and he eventually made the cut as a varsity player for the Southern City Colleges until he graduated from high school.
After graduating from high school, Choi Ignacio participated in an open tryout hosted by the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in Zamboanga city. During the said scrimmage, one of the coaches told him to go to Metro Manila. Armed with optimism, he ventured out of his comfort zone to search for possible collegiate teams who can give him athletic scholarship in the capital city.
Unfortunately, he was not given much attention when he tried out with the UP Fighting Maroons. He then took a chance with other schools until he was accepted by the Colegio De San Juan Letran Knights.
"Hindi din ako pinalad sa UP Diliman. Hindi ako nabigyan nang attention kaya nag try-out nalang ako sa ibang school hanggang sa natanggap ako sa Letran, recalled Choi Ignacio."
Having been separated with his family for a long time, homesickness struck Choi Ignacio. He wanted to go back home to Zamboanga just after spending a semester in Letran but fate had a different plan for him.
When he was supposed to return to Zamboanga, one of his friends invited him to try-out with the National University (NU) Bulldogs basketball squad of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). Fortunately for Choi Ignacio, he was given a slot in the team.
"Isang sem lang ako sa Letran noon. Parang na homesick ako kaya gusto ko nang umuwi sa Zamboanga. Hindi rin ako nakauwi sa Zamboanga dahil may kaibigan ako na dinala ako sa National University para mgtry-out at natanggap naman ako at dun na nagtuloy-tuloy and paglalaro ko, added Choi Ignacio."
Choi Ignacio spent three (3) years playing in the UAAP with the NU Bulldogs. As much as he wanted to hit the hard court and show what he got, he was not given much playing time. He was grateful nonetheless to his coaches for the experience and for the lessons that he learned and to the team's management for giving him the opportunity to compete at the UAAP while studying at a big university in Metro Manila.
After he exhausted his playing years in the UAAP, Choi Ignacio chased his dream of becoming a professional basketball player just like thousands of other hoopers in the Philippines. He knew that he needed to further hone his basketball skills so he ventured first into the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League (PBA D-League).
Choi Ignacio first played with the PBA D-league team of Blackwater. Thereafter, he bounced to different other teams such as Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Tanduay Rhum, and Livermarin.
Unfortunately for him, he didn't make it to the PBA. As we all know, the PBA draft is very competitive since there are only 12 teams competing in the oldest professional basketball league in Asia. Given the tight competition, most of the young hopefuls who participate in the annual draft go home undrafted and with an uncertain basketball career.
It was therefore a big blessing for Choi Ignacio and for the hundred of other undrafted hoopers that the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) opened its doors in 2018. Because of the MPBL, hundreds of players, coaches, referees, and technical staff were given another chance to earn a living while enjoying the sport that they love. They no longer have to totally abandon basketball as they now have another avenue to showcase and develop their basketball skills for another chance of getting into the professional ranks.
Choi Ignacio first played for the Basilan Steel in the Datu Cup of the MPBL. It was a rough start for him as his team was at the receiving end of many losses.
In the next season, he was invited to play for his hometown Zamboanga City which was represented by the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines squad. He immediately grabbed the opportunity since it would become a homecoming for him.
Playing time, however, was very elusive for him. As the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines reloaded its roster with young talents and collegiate standouts such as Alvin Pasaol, Aaron Black, Anton Asistio, Jun Manzo, and Santi Santillan, Choi Ignacio was relegated to the bench.
"Sana mabigyan ako ng playing time dito sa Zamboanga dahil binibigay ko naman ang best ko para sa mga taga Zambaoanga."
His team exacted revenge against the Batangas City Tanduay Athletics in the first round of the MPBL Lakan Cup playoffs. They were, however, eliminated in the second round by the South Division defending champions Davao Occidental Tigers led by Mark Yee and Billy Ray Robles.
As the MPBL remains in hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic until June 2021, Choi Ignacio is focusing on other things. He keeps on working out in order to maintain his conditioning.
"Sana matapos na tong pandemic para makapaglaro ulit ang MPBL dahil ang daming players ang natutulungan ng ligang ito. Pinagdadasal ko ang lahat ng mga may sakit at mga frontliners natin ngayun na matapang na humaharap sa pandemic na ito."
We surely hope too that everything will return to normal. For now, we just need to adjust with the situation and stay safe.
You might also want to read the story of other MPBL aspirants:
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