Playing professional basketball is the biggest dream for almost every young hooper in the Philippines. Who doesn't want to when you get paid for playing the game that you love?
Getting into a professional league or a professional team, however, is very tough and challenging. Thousands apply every year in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) but there are only limited teams who can accomodate them all.
In spite of the uncertainties of getting accepted in a professional basketball team, many young ballers are determined to improve their game. They are hoping that coaches from top-level collegiate basketball programs will notice their talent and invite them for a tryout.
Prinze Ivan Interno is one of those young dreamers who want to play in the big stage one day. Just like other kids, he wants to play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) or the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) since these are the top collegiate leagues in the country.
"Isa po akong na ngangarap na makapasok sa palarong pambansa isa den po ako sa batang nangangarap na matupad ang pangarap na makapasok sa NCAA, UAAP, at PBA," said Prinze Ivan Interno in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy.
Prinze Ivan Interno learned to play basketball at the age of seven (7). He had playing basketball for almost ten (10) years now. In all of those years, he had been through ups and downs but he never quit for the sake of his basketball dream and for his family, especially his dad, friends, and his relatives who are very supportive of him.
"Hindi ako titigil hanggat hindi ko natutupad yung pangarap ko. Andyan yung mga tao na sumusuporta sa akin kaya hindi ako tumitigil sa pangarap ko- yung mga kaibigan ko, pamilya ko tsaka pinakamamahal kong babae, at lalo na yung papa ko dahil sya talaga yung nagturo sa akin paano maglaro. Pinapractice niya ako mula umaga hanggang hapon at gabi para maimprove ko iyong skills ko. Halos lahat ng nalalaman ko sa basketball sa kanya ko natutunan and pangarap niya rin iyong pangarap ko noong kabataan niya kaya nandito ako. Hindi ako titigil hanggat hindi ko naaabot iyon para sa mga mahal ko sa buhay at sa papa ko," Prinze Ivan Interno explained.
Basketball had always been a big part of Prinze Ivan Interno's childhood. He grew up near a basketball court where he spent most of his time playing with his peers. But since he's just a kid, he had to wait for the older players to finish their game before he and his friends can play on the court.
It didn't take long before Prinze Ivan Interno played with the people he looked up to when he was very young. Slowly but surely, he became confident with his basketball skills.
He became a varsity player when he was at grade six (6). At that time, his team was able to reach the City Meet but his team failed to win the championship. Nevertheless, he went home with so much learning and experience which helped him hone his basketball skills.
Prinze Ivan Interno remained a varsity player until fourth (4th) year high school. During those times, he was able to compete in various leagues or ligang labas.
"Taong 2017 ay naging Jr NBA ako. Madami rin ako natutunan doon. Salamat uli sa papa ko dahil kahit malayo yung pagtrainingan namin noon e sinamahan niya parin ako pumunta. Naging player rin ako ng kidzshots and dahil doon, nakapaglaro ako sa malaking arena tulad ng Alonte sports arena. Isa rin yun sa mga masasayang araw as a player pero may halong lungkot pa rin dahil nag end up lang kami ng 1st place. Hanggang sa nagtuloy tuloy na madami narin ako napaglaruan na ligang labas madami na rin ako nakuhang individual awards pero di ako nakakampante dahil hindi ko pa naabot iyong pangarap ko, recalled Prinze Ivan Interno."
It was not always a bed of roses for him though. Struggles became a part of his basketball journey which tested how committed he was in reaching his dream.
"Sobrang dami na rin dumaang struggles sa akin. Dumating na rin sa point na ako na mismo yung nagtatanong sa sarili ko na, kaya ko ba? Magagawa ko ba? Pero alam ko na maraming naniniwala sa akin kaya hindi ako titigil hanggat may naniniwala. Patuloy lang ang laban. Syempre yung unang dapat maniwala sa akin ay yung sarili ko kaya hindi ako titigil na abutin yung pangarap ko. Hindi ako tumitigil sa pageensayo kahit ako lang mag-isa. Nagshoshooting ako at nag papractice ako ng moves na pwedeng magamit sa mga laro," added Prinze Ivan Interno.
Prinze Ivan Interno understands that his basketball journey is long and winding road. There's so much to improve in his game and he is very much willing to put on the works. As a matter of fact, he continued to maintain his conditioning even during the quarantine by working out using improvised weights.
He also acknowledges the lessons he learned from his coaches. To be sure, he was scolded many times already for committing bad plays but in hindsight, he realized that his coaches were only doing it to improve his game.
"Laging nakatatak sa utak ko na dapat araw-araw akong nag i-improve. Araw-araw dapat may natutunan ako na bago. Dati pinapagalitan ako ng coach namin at akala ko ako lang yung gusto niya lagi pagalitan kaya hindi ako nag-training kinabukasan, pero na realize ko na ginagawa ni coach yun para sakin para matuto ako para pag dating ko sa laro alam ko yung gagawin ko. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa mga naging coach ko na nagturo sa akin kung paano magisip pagdating sa court at mga moves at galaw na magandang gawin kapag nasa ipit na situation."
Prinze Ivan Interno is banking on the support of his family, friends, and his significant other. They are his emotional support whenever he feels exhausted, especially when other people puts him down and sow doubt to his potential. He also uses his family and friends as motivation to work harder and dream higher.
"Nagpapasalamat ako sa pamilya ko na di tumitigil na maniwala sakin na maabot ko yung pangarap ko at si angela na nanjan rin palagi para sakin di ako iniiwan at sa mama at papa ko syempre sila yung unang una nag tiwala at naniwala sakin sumuporta sakin kaya hinding hindi ako titigil mangarap mag papatuloy lang ako mag practice at maniwala sa diyos na makakamit ko yung pangarap ko."
Just believe in yourself young man. Continue to work hard and smart for your basketball dream.
You might also want to read the story of other aspirants:
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