In our past articles, most of the young basketball players that we featured acquired their basketball skills from their father or other family members. Vin Jolo Vegamora, however, discovered basketball on his own.
While his grandfather built him a basketball ring in their residence in Sta. Maria Laguna to practice, he was practically left on his own to learn the game. It might not have been the best method as Vin Jolo Vegamora didn't have much confidence on his game when he first joined a ligang labas at the age of twelve (12). As a result, he was benched by his coach in his very first league game.
"Nagsimula ako maglaro noong six (6) years old ako dahil ipinagawa ako ng lolo ko ng sariling ring sa aming bakuran. Hanggang sa ako'y natuto na sa sarili kong pamamaraan dahil ayaw nila akong turuan kasi gusto nila matuto ako sa sarili ko lang. So ayun, nagtuloy-tuloy na hanggang sa natuto ako nang tuluyan. Dumating ang edad kong 12 at nagsimula akong maglaro ng ligang labas napaka-kabadohin ko at mahiyain dahil natatakot pa akong maglaro sa maraming tao hanggang sa binangko lang ako ng coach ko dahil sa pinapakita kong laro, shared Vin Jolo Vegamora in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy."
It was a forgettable first season for Vin Jolo Vegamora so he was determined and excited to make it up in the following season. It was a chance for him to redeem himself but fate had another plan. As the brand new season of the summer league arrived, his excitement immediately turned into disappointment when he learned that he was not included in the lineup.
Vin Jolo Vegamora was hurt by his non-inclusion in the team but he saw it in a positive way. Instead of quitting and giving up his passion for basketball, he took it as a challenge and motivation to be better.
"Lumipas ang panahon at dumating na ulit ang summer league. Masayang-masaya ako kasi makakalaro na ulit ako ngunit sa hindi inaasahan ako'y hindi naline-up. Hindi ko alam ang dahilan pero tinanggap ko rin naman. Bilang manlalaro, para sa akin napakasakit nun kasi yun ang inaantay mo bawat bakasyon tapos hahadlangan ka pa. Pero di ako nawalan ng pagasa at umuwi ako sa aming probinsya sa Atimonan, recalled Vin Jolo Vegamora."
Returning to his province in Atimonan, Quezon proved to be a blessing in disguise for Vin Jolo Vegamora as he was recruited by his friends to join their team. Without any hesitation, he said yes as it was an opportunity for him to play competitive basketball. Unfortunately, he was seldom used but still his team won the championships so he got something to brag about.
"Umuwe ako sa aming probinsya sa Atimonan. Quezon at yun niline up agad ako ng aking mga kaibigan kahit hindi ako magaling. Ayun nag champion naman kami kahit ako'y bangko at taga palakpak lang. Masakit sa bawat manlalaro na pipigilan yung kagustuhang makalaro dahil may mas magaling sayong player," shared Vin Jolo Vegamora.
Being a benchwarmer somehow ignited Vin Jolo Vegamora's desire to get better. He worked on his game and his mentality. So by the time that he returned to Laguna, he showed that he can compete. As fate would have it, he was given a slot in the summer league team. Slowly, his basketball journey was going to the right direction.
Vin Jolo Vegamora became a varsity of his school from 2017 to 2019 but his team never made it far into the competition. He also tried playing 3x3 in 2018 where his team made it into the finals during the Unit meet. They failed to win the championship though and only two (2) of his teammates were selected to participate in the next level.
"Apat kaming magkakampi tapoos lumaban kami ng finals pero natalo kami. Ang masakit dun, yung dalawa kong kakampi ang nakuha tapos kami hindi. Nakuha sila hanggang sa umabot ng one laguna. Nakakainggit lang buti pa sila. Kaya yun naging motivation ko din yun," added Vin Jolo Vegamora.
It was another setback for Vin Jolo Vegamora but he soldiered on. He just used his past failures as a motivation to become stronger and better.
In his last year of being a varsity, Vin Jolo Vegamora's grandfather unfortunately passed away. Losing the person who introduced to him the sport of basketball somehow affected his enthusiasm in playing his favorite sport. But rather than sulking, he made it a point to continue his dream not only for himself but also for his grandfather.
"Habang nagtrai-trainning kami ng mga teammates ko, paguwi ko ng bahay ay sumakabilang buhay na ang lolo ko na nagsimula sa akin sa pagba-basketball kaya ayun parang gumunaw ang mundo ko na parang ayaw ko na maglaro ng unit meet pero pinag-patuloy ko pa rin para sa pangarap at para sa aking lolo," said Vin Jolo Vegamora.
Vin Jolo Vegamora's high school eligibility ended in 2019 without having played in the provincial meet. Nonetheless, he was still looking forward to play basketball during summer leagues. The Covid-19 pandemic, however, took away basketball from him. So in order to make the most out of the lockdown, Vin Jolo Vegamora exerted efforts to stay in shape.
"Ngayon madami na ang may covid pero tuloy pa rin yung training ko sa sarili. Nagjo-jogging ako para sa good health. Nagpapakondisyon ako ng katawan at naggy-gym ako para hindi tamaan ng virus at para na rin kondisyon ang katawan sa paglalaro."
And of course, Vin Jolo Vegamora always makes time to say a prayer as he believes God will keep him safe in each game.
"Dapat talaga always pray before you play. Kaya yan ang lagi kong baon sa bawat laro ko kasi alam kong hindi ako pababayaan ng mahal na Panginoon. Sana bawat manlalaro ay maging magandang halimbawa muna ang diyos dahil siya ang nagbigay ng lahat ng mga bagay bagay na kinakasikatan ng bawat tao ngayon kaya palaging mag dasal bago mag laro gaya nang ginagawa ko."
Keep on playing and praying! God definitely has a plan for you.
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