Jeffrey Mamiit wants to be a professional basketball player like his idol Calvin Abueva whom he look up to due to his go hard or go home attitude. Although Jeffrey Mamiit is shorter than his idol as he stands at 5'11 while Calvin towers at 6'3, he brings the same mentality every time he steps into the basketball court.
"Idol ko si Calvin Abueva dahil sabi nila may pagkapareho kami ng laro, maliit man pero kaya makipagsabayan sa malalaki. Tapos buong puso sa laro. Di papadaig sa angas ng Kalaban."
Jeffrey Mamiit took interest in the sport of basketball at an early age, thanks to his older brother and his neighbors who frequent the basketball court in his area. His brother would always invite him to play basketball, but Jeffrey Mamiit chose to play other games with his friends.
"Nag-start akong magka-interest sa paglalaro ng basketball siguro dahil sa mga napapanood kong mga ballers na naglalaro ng basketball dito sa amin. But masasabi ko na ang talagang nag-impluwensya sa aking maglaro ay ang kuya ko, kasi siya yung tipong walang ibang hawak kundi bola. Umaga hanggang hapon siyang naglalaro at inaaya nya lagi akong maglaro, pero di ako nasama kasi iba ang libangan ko nong bata ako hehe tamang laro lang po sa kalsada," shared Jeffrey Mamiit in a chat interview with I'm a Baller Reload Facebook page.As if it was his destiny, Jeffrey Mamiit eventually fell in love with Basketball after his father told him to join his brother in a pickup game. To his surprise, he enjoyed playing the sport and since then, he was always thrilled to play in pickup games against his friends and neighbors.
"One day sinabihan ako ng papa ko na sumama kay kuya sa paglalaro, kaya ayun sumama ako and noon time na yun nagustuhan ko kaagad yung Basketball kaya ayun tinuloy tuloy ko na hanggang sa nakahiligan ko na din talaga siya. 9 years old ako ng nakakitaan ako ng potential ng papa ko kaya sabi sakin tuloy mo lang ang pag lalaro gagaling ka din anak," recalled Jeffrey Mamiit.
Jeffrey Mamiit heeded the advice of his father, and true enough, he did excel in some of the leagues that he participated in. Motivated by his father's support, Jeffrey Mamiit was able to bag several Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards in the inter-purok and inter-barangay leagues that he joined.
"Dahil sa pag push na yun ng papa ko, mas lalo ako na-excite na matuto. Nag start na akong sumali sa mga Inter-purok at Inter-baranggay na liga and naging 4 times MVP Ako sa aming purok. Kung tawagin pa dati yung ligang unang nag MVP ako e Mosquito Division," added Jeffrey Mamiit.
Starting at a young age proved to be beneficial for Jeffrey Mamiit as his ligang-labas experience in the mosquitio division of their barangay league prepared him for compeitive basketball in his school. Jeffrey Mamiit was selected to represent Binulasan Integtrated School as a varsity player when he was a grade six (6) student.
That was his very first time to play as member of a varsity squad. Unfortunately, Jeffrey Mamiit developed a bad habit of cutting classes just to spend time in computer shops. As a result, he lost his focus and he failed to make the varsity team the following years.
It was only in 10th grade that he was able to rejoin the varsity team as his older brother helped him return to the righteous path. His brother talked to the coach of their school to give him another chance at playing in the varsity team. Thankfully, the coach gave Jeffrey Mamiit another chance at redemption.
Jeffrey Mamiit did not waste the opportunity given to him. As a payback for the trust accorded to him, Jeffrey Mamiit won the MVP award in an inter-school tournament when he was a grade 11 student.
"Pagpasok ko ng grade 6 sa Binulasan Integrated School, yun ang unang beses ko na naging varsity player. Pero minsan, ang problema nasa player talaga. After that year, hndi na ako naging varsity dahil naging pala-cutting ako sa school at laging laman ng computer shop. Parang kinalimutan ko na ang Basketball. Pero yung kuya ko di ako sinukuan. Pagdating ko ng G-10, kinausap niya ang isang Coach at sinabi niya na may kapatid sya na okay ang laro. Ayun nabigyan ulit ng oppurtunity kaya nakabalik ulit ako ng Basketball. After a Year, G-11 na ako at pinalad ako na tangahalin na MVP ng Inter School," explained Jeffrey Mamiit.
After his MVP season with Binulasa Integrated School, Jeffrey Mamiit was scouted by Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) during a 3x3 tournament in Pitogo, Quezon. When asked if he wanted to play basketball with EAC, Jeffrey Mamiit answered yes without hesitation.
Jeffrey Mamiit later transferred to EAC to train and study at the same time. It was a challenging training for him, especially on his first day, since he needed to adjust to a new system.
"Natagpuan ako ng EAC dahil nakita ako ng isang coach ng EAC na naglalaro ng 3x3 sa Pitogo Quezon. Dahil na rin sa nakitaan nya ako ng potensyal, tinawag niya ako at tinanong ako if gusto kong pumasok sa school nila. Ako naman, wala ng isip isip, OO agad ang sagot. Big oppurtunity na yun eh, sasayangin ko pa ba. Kaya pumunta na ako ng EAC para ituloy ang pagaaral at paglalaro ko and awa ng Diyos naging okay naman, Mas madami pa akong natutunan lalo na sa training. Sobrang hirap noong unang pasok sa pag te training pagod na pagod ako at parang masusuka yung pakiramdam ko, dahil na din sa hindi ako sanay sa ganoon kataas na level ng training, pero mas lalo ko ito ikinasaya at ikina excite dahil solid ang training at umpisa palang alam ko na mas madami pa akong matutunan sa mga tinuturo sa amin ng coaches. Sayang lang kasi G-12 nako napunta sa EAC kaya isang taon lang akong nakapaglaro," said Jeffrey Mamiit.
Playing in a big school such as EAC opened more opportunities for Jeffrey Mamiit. He was able to participate in bigger leagues such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) South, National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA), UCCL, Maga City Meet, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) 3x3 league.
Just like thousands of other aspiring hoopers, Jeffrey Mamiit wants to take his talent to the bigger stage. And if given the chance, he would like to play for the Basilan Steel.
Good luck and God Bless young man.
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