Austin S. Meralles is just one of the thousands of young pinoy hoopers who is aspiring to play in the Palarong Pambansa hoping to be recruited in the competitive National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). Needless to say, he also dreams of setting foot in the Philippine Basketball Associaton (PBA) and the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
A journey begins with a single step. For the 5'7 Austin S. Meralles, his basketball journey began when he was a grade three (3) student at SA Tañong Elementary School where he grew up idolizing Lebron James and Richard Albo.
Just like other kids, Austin Meralles had to start from the very fundamentals of basketball. It was his uncle who diligently taught him how to dribble.
"Noong hindi pa ako marunong mag-basketball, pupunta ako ng court para maglaro. Palagi nila kinukuha yung bola ko tapos hindi ko na makukuha kase maglalaro na sila ng 5v5. Sabi ng tito ko, dito ka muna mag practice tuturuan kita kung paano mag dribble para mahangaan ka nila. Nag pursigi ako sa turo ng tito ko tapos unti unti na ako lumakas. Payo lang po sa akin ng tito, huwag kang mawawalan ng pag asa at dribble lang araw-araw para mabilis ang kamay. Unti-unti na rin akong natututo sa basketball," said Austin Meralles in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy.
After taking lessons from his uncle, Austin Meralles gained enough confidence to try out with the varsity team of SA Tañong Elementary School. His efforts paid off as he cracked the varsity team at grade eight (8).
"Noong grade eight (8) ako, naging varsity ako ng aming school. Sumali kami sa PYD and sa 14U. Finals na po kami ngayon pero hindi lang kami makapaglaro dahil sa Covid-19. Kaya po ako nakapasok sa Arellano basketball dahil sa pagpupursigi ko na lumakas at matuto," added Austin Meralles.
During school break, Austin Meralles also participated in barangay summer leagues to further hone his skills. He played for the Gang Ball team from 2017 to 2019 in the Tañong Summer Basketball League where he was chosen as a member of the mythical five in 2018 and 2019.
Austin Meralles found a new mentor in Mr. Ariel Liguan who taught him mental toughness. It was also under the tutelage of Coach Liguan that Austin Meralles was able to compete in the Arellano University Dreamers League.
"Si sir Ariel Liguan naman ang nagpatibay sa aking loob at katawan. Sabi niya sa akin na huwag mong iisipin na puro negative ang mangyayari sayo, dapat lahat positive. Dahil sa kanya, naging player ako ng school para sa Arellano University Dreamers League," recalled Austin Meralles.
The Covid-19 pandemic may have delayed Austin Meralle's basketball journey towards collegiate basketball and hopefully the professional ranks but he is determined to keep improving amid the pandemic. He continued to workout in their home in order to stay fit and healthy.
"Sa ngayon, hindi pa tayo nakakalaro ng basketball dahil sa pandemia na ito. Huwag kakalimutan mag-work out sa bahay at kumain ng masusustansya na pagkain lalo na ang gulay. Uminom din palagi ng tubig at umiwas sa bisyo kase dyan kayo hihina," advised Austin Meralles.
Austin Meralles understands that the only way to gain respect from other players is to get better. He already experienced being berated as a basketball player but he wants to change how other players view his game.
"Noong nasa Grade three (3) ako, una po ang daming nanglalait sa akin na hindi na ako gagaling kaya nag pursigi po ako mag-training at yung mga nanlalait po sa akin dati, sila po yung ginagawa kong inspirasyon sa paglalaro, explained Austine Meralles."
Be that as it may, Austin Meralles banks on the support of his family and friends. He is grateful for the support that he had received throughout his young basketball journey so far.
"Isa po ako sa mga batang nangangarap na makapasok sa NCAA, UAAP, PBA, at MPBL. Magpupursigi ako mag training at mag palakas. Magtitiwala po ako kay God na kaya ko ang lahat and sa family ko. Hindi ko iisipin na puro negative. Dapat sa lahat ng bagay, be positive. Yan ang turo sa akin ng coach ko na si sir ariel Liguan. Alam ko na marami pa akong pagdadaan sa pag lalaro pero kakayanin ko lahat para sa family ko. Salamat po sa lahat ng sumuporta at humanga," said Austin Meralles.
As of the moment, Austin Meralles is waiting for the MPBL to resume its season. Although his favorite team Navotas Clutch didn't reach the playoffs round, he remains excited to know who will be crowned as the next MPBL national champion.
As of this writing, the MPBL has sent a letter to the Inter-Agency Task Force against Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) requesting for approval of the resumption of the Lakan Season playoffs. If granted, the MPBL can resume the remaining games between San Juan Knights and Makati Supercrunch in the North Division and Basilan Steel versus Davao Occidental Tigers in the Southern Division.
Austin Meralles aspires to be a future MPBL player just like his favorite player Richard Albo who played for the Navotas Clutch but is now a key player off the bench for the Davao Occidental Tigers. For those who are not aware, Richard Albo has been conducting free basketball clinics in his hometown of Navotas as a way of sharing his basketball skills to aspiring young players.
Austin Meralles is one of the lucky young hoopers who joined Richard Albo's basketball training program. Under the guidance of coach Albo, He learned the fundamentals of shooting, dribbling and passing. He is forever grateful for the lessons he learned from coach Albo.
"Ang mensahe ko kay idol (Richard Albo) ay sana marami pa siyang matulungan. Huwag po siya titigil sa kanyang pangarap. Ganun din po ang aking gagawin balang araw po magiging magkakampe din po kami. Maraming salamat idol (Richard Albo) sa pag-training mo sa amin, promise namin sayo idol lahat ng sinabi mo ay tutuparin namin."
Keep striving young man. You can achieve your dreams as long as you put your heart into it.
You might also want to read the story of other aspirants:
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