"Kadalasan hindi ako sinasali kasi ang tingin nila sa akin ay mahina. Minsan nga napapaiyak na lang ako kasi nga hindi ako napapasali at ramdam ko na hindi ako belong," explained Harvey Joaquinn Medrana in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy.
"Pagtungtong ko ng grade five (5) sinubukan kong magtry-out sa eskwelahan kung san ako nag-aaral, umaasang matatanggap ako. Pinaglaro kami at pagpasa saken ng bola may pumatid saken nun at ako'y nadapa. Hindi ako natanggap noon at naalala ko na pagbalik ko sa classroom namin ay mayroon pa kong mga sugat," recalled Harvey Joaquinn Medrana.
Instead of giving up, he continued to pursue his passion for basketball. The following year, Harvey Joaquinn Medrana gave it another shot in the tryouts. This time, lady luck appeared to be in his favor but it was the beginning of a more difficult climb to the top.
"Ginawa ko ang best ko para mapakita sa aming coach na ako ay karapat dapat at sa wakas, ako ay natanggap din. Akala ko doon na nagtatapos ang lahat, na pagkatapos kong matanggap ay magiging madali na ngunit nagkamali ako, mas mahirap pala pag natanggap ka na sa varsity," added Harvey Joaquinn Medrana.
To stay competitive, Harvey Joaquinn Medrana and his teammates started their trainings as early as 6:00 am by jogging around until 7:00 am. After an hour of heavy running, his coach will then require them to undergo skills training and scrimmages. This is the reason why he was always tired whenever he got home, so much so, that he often forgot to finish his school works and assignment.
After several months of training, Harvey Joaquinn Medrana and his team competed in the District meet. They failed to win the championship but he was selected to represent their district in the Municipal Meet.
"Naghanda ulit kami at nag-ensayo para sa nalalapit na Municipal meet ngunit sa hindi inaasahan ay nagkaroon ako ng sore eyes nung nalalapit na ang aming laban. Naglaro ako noon na nakashades para hindi ako makahawa subalit napansin ng referee na meron nga akong sore eyes kaya pinalabas ako sa court at pinalitan na lamang ng aking mga kakampi," explained Harvey Joaquinn Medrana.
When Harey Joaquinn Medrana was pulled out of the game because of his sore eyes, he almost cried since he knew that his chances to play in the Provincial Meet was diminished. But as fate would have it, his coach approach him after the game and he was told to prepare for the Provincial Meet. The unexpected good news made him smile.
"Kagaya nung mga nakaraang athletic meet ay nag-ensayo kami sapagkat alam namin na mas malalakas, matatangkad at mas mabibilis ang aming makakalaban. Sa kasamaang palad ay natalo kami at hindi na umabot pa ng semis pero masaya ako dahil isa ako sa mga swerteng manlalaro na napili para irepresent ang aming bayan, ang bayan ng Rosario," said Harvey Joaquinn Medrana.
After completing his elementary education, Harvey Joaquinn Medrana went to Sto. Nino Formation and Science School for his High School studies. He tried out for the varsity team of the school but he was again not selected in his firs two (2) years. That did not stop him, nonetheless, from pursuing basketball. He returned to try out the following year, and this time, he made the cut.
His stint with the team gave him another opportunity to compete in the District Meet all the way to the Provincial Meet. He had to improve his game otherwise he would spend his time warming the bench.
Harvey Joaquinn Medrana did not get playing time in the Municipal Meet due to the presence of more senior players in the team. As a matter of fact, he only played one game.
"Nakakalungkot kung iisipin at nakakadismaya pero imbis na madown, ginawa ko nalang itong motivation para sa susunod na taon ko."
Indeed, Harvey Joaquinn Medrana got his break in the following year which was last playing year in High School. When he was given the chance to play in his first game during the Municipal Meet, he proved that he can also perform at par, if not better, with his teammates. Owing to his impressive showing, he became a starter in the succeeding games.
Earning the trust of his coach and gaining the starting position boosted the confidence of Harvey Joaquinn Medrana. He waited for so long to play relevant minutes and he was so happy to finally showcase his skills.
"Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na bangko ka lang noon, first-five (5) ka na ngayon. Hindi kami nakapasok sa semis unlike last year pero mas nakalaro naman ako ngayong taon di kagaya nung nakaraan na talagang pumapalakpak lamang ako sa bench."
Harvey Joaquinn Medrana never won a championship in his basketball stints so far. While he had already graduated from high school, he still continues to play basketball whenever he have the time and opportunity to do so. Sometimes, he and his friends would visit other neighborhoods to play. In the process, he gained new friends.
Aside from meeting new friends, Basketball also taught so many lessons to Harvey Joaquinn Medrana. Lessons that could help him achieve his dreams, not only inside the basketball court, but also off the court.
"Sa aking karanasan ay masasabi kong ang basketball ay hindi lamang isang laro. Sa basketball ay marami akong natutunan kagaya ng disiplina, respeto at marami pang iba. Natutunan ko rin na hindi sumuko, na kapag nadapa ka ay kailangan mo lang laging bumangon. Mangarap ka at gawin mo ang lahat upang matupad ito. Nagsikap, nagsisikap at magsisikap ako dahil alam kong balang araw ay ako naman, na darating din yung oras ko, na ako naman ang hahangaan ng iba. Huwag na huwag kakalimutan kung sino ang tumulong sa iyo, walang mahirap sa taong may pangarap at posible ang pangarap sa taong nagsusumikap. Isama mo lang ang Diyos sa lahat at siguradong ika'y magtatagumpay. Thank you basketball, you will always be my first love."