Mike Sampurna is known for his athleticism and dunking ability. But more than just dunking, he wants to complete his game in the hopes of playing in the professional leagues.
Mike Sampurna started playing basketball at a young age. He was only a grade three (3) student when he had the opportunity to compete recreationally with other basketball players. Although he was already in love with basketball at that young age, it never crossed his mind to become a professional basketball player.
It was Mike Sampurna's father who opened the world of basketball to him. His father was a hooper for the Philippine National Police (PNP) basketball team and he would enroll Mike Sampurna in various basketball clinics to hone the basketball skills of his son.
"Nagsimula ako mag-basketball noong Grade 3 ako. Wala pa sa isip ko noon na aabot ako sa pagiging player talaga. Ang gusto ko lang talaga noon, mag-basketball. Hanggang sa nanonood na ko ng laro ng papa ko sa mga laro nya kasi player siya noon sa PNP team. Sa camp crame kami nakatira pa noon, doon ko na talaga nakahiligan mag basketball lagi halos araw-araw. Inenroll na rin ako ng papa ko sa Basketball clinic sa Crame. Halos papa ko talaga nag impluwensya sa akin mag-basketball. Sinasali niya pa ako sa mga ligang labas noong mga grade 4 or 5 yata ako sa mga kakilala nya. Sabi ko pa nga sa kanya noon, balang araw pa mapapanood mo ko sa TV nag lalaro ng basketball," shared Allan Sampurna in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy.
Unfortunately, Mike Sampurna's father fell ill and subsequently died. To make matters worse, their house in Camp Crame was taken back by the PNP as his father was no longer considered in active service. As painful as it was, life moved on for Mike Sampurna as his family transferred to their new residence in the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), Taguig City
With the death of his father and a new neighborhood, Mike Sampurna's interest in playing basketball waned. Until one day, he heard that his school STI Global City will hold a basketball tryouts. It was the perfect motivation at that time for him to return to basketball.
"Noong Grade six (6) na ako, dumating yung di inaasahan na nagkasakit yung papa ko at binawian sya ng buhay. Pagkatapos nun, binawi yung bahay namin sa crame kaya kinailangan namin lumipat ng bahay at lumipat kami sa BCDA Taguig. Noong paglipat namin dito sa Taguig, halos medyo nawala nayung pagkahilig ko sa basketball. Iniisip ko na lang mag aral, tambay, barkada, haggang sa nag-college na ko sa STI Global. Nag-enroll ako don hanggang sa kalagitnaan ng semester, may pa-tryout daw ng varsity don. Parang nabuhayaan loob ko ulit doon sa pangarap ko sa basketball para sa papa ko na sabukan ko ulit," recalled Mike Sampurna.
Mike Sampurna's decision to tryout with STI Global's basketball team turned out to be a game changer for him. He was accepted into the team which gave him the opportunity to compete in the inter-STI campuses basketball tournament participated in by various STI campuses all over the Philippines.
Although it was a small basketball league when compared to other collegiate leagues in the country, Mike Sampurna played his best and his efforts were rewarded after his team eventually reached the Finals in his rookie year. They, however, failed to win it all as they succumbed against their opponent in the championship game.
Be that as it may, his team returned to the Inter-STI tournament the following year and this time, they went home with the championship trophy. To make his achievement sweeter, Mike Sampurna was also selected as a member of the Mythical 5.
"Maliit lang naman liga ng STI noon, inter-STI kung tawagin halos buong STI sa Pilipinas. Unang taon ko sa varsity, nakapasok kami finals kaso natalo kami. Sa pangalawang taon ko, nakapasok kami ulit at doon na kami nag-champion at nakakuha ako ng mythical 5. Sinasama na rin ako ng mga teammate ko sa ligang labas. Dumami na kumuha at doon na rin pumasok yung mga offer na mag tryout ako sa iba't ibang school. Pinapa tryout ako t sabihin ko daw pinapapunta ako netong pangalan na ganyan. Kaso pinag isipan ko rin mabuti. 2nd yr 2nd sem na ako noon, iniisip ko pag nag try out ako sa ibang school at kapag nakuha man ako, masasayang yung pinag aralan ko dahil babalik ako zero. Kaya pinili ko na lang academics ko hanggang sa naka graduate na ko ng BSHRM," added Mike Sampurna.
Mike Sampurna rested for a year after he graduated from college until he reached a point wherein he contemplated giving up basketball in order to focus on finding work in the corporate world. As fate would have it, he saw an invitation from the local government unit of Taguig for a tryout for the National Basketball League (NBL) team known as the Taguig Generals.
Joining the Taguig Generals was not an easy decision for Mike Sampurna to make. He carefully evaluated his options and later on decided to give basketball one last chance as he was already twenty-one (21) years old at that time.
"Pagkatapos ko makagraduate, nagpahinga ako ng halos isang taon. Nagisip ako kung itutuloy ko pa ba yung pagba-basketball ko o magtratrabaho na lang. Hanggang sa umabot na ko sa punto na gusto ko na lang mag trabaho. Noong magaapply na sana ako, nakita ko nag post ang Taguig na may pa-tryout sila sa dalawang liga nila nasasalihan, yun na nga yung NBL philippines. Pinag isipan ko rin naman mabuti yung desisyon na yon kasi 21 yrs old na rin ako noon at sinabi ko ulit sa sarili ko na last na to. Kapag di ako nakuha, mag tratrabaho na ko para makatulong na rin ako sa gastusin sa bahay namin kahit papano," explained Mike Sampurna.
When Mike Sampurna went to the venue, he was surprised to see that more than a hundred players joined the tryouts. He initially wanted to quit and go home as he thought he did not have any chance at all, but he stayed as he was already at the venue after all.
The tryouts lasted for two weeks. From about 100 aspirants, the number dwindled during the screening period. When it was all over, Mike Sampurna was very ecstatic to know that he made it into the final lineup.
"Pumunta na nga ako sa araw ng tryout. Nagulat ako noonng pumunta ako, sobrang daming nag try out halos na sa 100 kami mahigit na sumubok. Nawalan na naman ako ng pagasa noon, parang gusto ko na lang umuwi. Pero nandoon naman din na ko. Sinubukan ko na hanggang sa umabot yung tryout ng 2 weeks. Nababawasan ng nababawasan, sobrang hirap nung try out na yon kasi ang daming magagaling. Hanggang sa umabot nagsabi na ng line up yung management ng Taguig at nasama naman ako sa 15 players na official line up. Ayon, eio na yung sinasabi ko na makakapag laro na ko sa isa sa mga magandang liga sa pilipinas," said Mike Sampurna.
Since then, Mike Sampurna made it a point to get better every single day. He puts great effort in his training and conditioning so he can be in top shape when the NBL returns, especially now that it is a professional basketball league.
Just like many aspiring young hoopers, Mike Sampurna also hopes to play in bigger leagues such as the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and the Philippine Basketball Association.
One step at a time young man. God bless on your basketball journey.
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