Christoper Garcia Jr. Profile, Playing History, Stats, Highlights

Name: Christopher Garcia Jr.

Birth year: 2005

Height: 5'9

Position: Guard

Hometown: Taguig City

College: SHS SFAC

Playing History: Local Leagues in NCR

Christopher Garcia is an aspiring professional basketball player from the City of Taguig. He stands at 5'9 and can play both the point guard and shooting guard position.

MPBL Prospect: Chris "CJ" Flores Dedicates Game To His Family

In the world of Basketball, height is definitely might. It is also a gift in a country too passionate for the sport of Basketball.

CJ Flores is one of the few gifted with height. Even at an early age, he was already towering above his peers but his basketball skills is too raw and undeveloped which became the reason why he was teased as "lampa" by his friends.

MPBL Prospect: Rhinwil Octobre Yambing Looks Forward To Showcase His Talent

 

Rhinwil Octobre Yambing is a step closer to his dream of playing in bigger leagues such as the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) after he was scouted and recruited to play for the San Sebastian Stags of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 2019. His debut in the oldest collegiate basketball league, however, will have to wait as the NCAA remains suspended due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Coming from Iligan City which is widely known as the "city of majestic waterfalls", Rhinwil Yambing wants to follow the footsteps of ex-PBA players Cyrus Baguio and Riego Gamalinda who carved a name in the PBA. The journey will never be easy, but the now 22 year old is excited to face the challenges.

MPBL Prospect: Mark Christian Yu Wants To Be Like Jayson Castro

Mark Christian Yu wants to be the next Jayson Castro, an explosive guard in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) who is also considered as one of the best point guards in Asia, if not the best. At 5'11, Mark Christian Yu is actually taller than his idol Jayson Castro who stands at 5'10 but it remains to be seen if he can match, if not exceed, the achievements of Jayson Castro.

"Idol ko si Jayson Castro kasi gusto ko siya gayahin, pati yung mindset niya. Gusto kong makuha yung bilis niya at sipag sa court. Para sa akin, siya yung legit na point guard. Kumpleto na may assist, may puntos, at tsaka leader siya sa court, explained Mark Christian Yu in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy. 

MPBL Prospect: Mike Sampurna is Taguig City's Pride

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.

Jeffrey Mamiit: MPBL Prospect of Infanta Quezon

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.

MPBL Prospect: Vince Ahron Sibbaluca Wants To Break New Grounds

Baguio City is undeniably the Summer Capital of the Philippines due to its cool climate which makes it an ideal destination while the rest of the country endures searing heat. Unknown to many, Baguio is also home to a thriving varsity league with the Baguio Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) serving as the local version of Metro Manila's University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

In the sports world, Baguio City is best known as the breeding ground of world champions in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) owing to the exploits of Team Lakay in One Championship. While the city does not enjoy the same success in the basketball scene, it was able to produce several notable basketball players who made it to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). 

Joseph Nalos Proves Probinsyanos Can Also Hoop

It is an open secret that the Visayas, particularly Cebu, is a hotbed of basketball talents. If somebody disputes such fact, you just need to point out that the best talent in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) right now hails from Pinamungajan, Cebu. That's right, it is no other than June Mar Fajardo who is the only player to win six (6) straight Most Valuable Player (MVP) award on top of his eight (8) championship trophies, three (3) Finals MVP, and eight (8) Best Player of the Conference citations.

Junemar Fajardo is definitely not the first Cebuano who made a name in the PBA. Some of the notable Cebuanos who dazzled in the Philippine's most competitive league include Roger Yap and Dondon Hontiveros among others. Junemar Fajardo is likewise not the last as more and more collegiate players from Cebu are transferring to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) because these Manila-based leagues offer bigger exposure, and perhaps an easier path into the PBA.

MPBL Prospect: Kurt Russelle Sunga Plays For His Dreams

Kurt Russelle B. Sunga is a 22-year old 5'10 guard for the Centro Escolar University (CEU) Scorpions who aspires to be a professional basketball player one day. He was born in Balic-Balic, Manila where he grew up before his family transferred to Laguna.

It was also in Balic-Balic where he was introduced to the beautiful game of basketball by his older brothers. At that time, the half-court in his neighborhood became not only his playground but also his training ground.

"Laking Balic-Balic ako dati. Hindi pa ako ganun ka interesado noon sa basketball ang alam ko pang mga laro nun is yung mga larong kalye lang. Until dumating yung time na may mga kuya ako sa amin na sinimulan nila akong turuan ng Basic Basketball. Uso kasi pag sa Manila half court kaya doon sa halfcourt na yun doon ako unang naka hawak ng bola, doon ko inumpisahan ang buhay Basketball ko," said Kurt in an interview with I'm a Baller Reload facebook page.

MPBL Aspirant: Jed Akhiro Tagami Shoots For The Stars

Jed Akhiro S. Tagami is a 15-year old aspiring professional Basketball player who started playing basketball using a volleyball in a makeshift basketball court made by his uncle just beside the road. Although some people laugh at him for his unconventional beginning, he developed a genuine love for the game of basketball.

When he was just a 12-year old kid back in 2017, he usually went to the Oreta Sports Complex in Malabon City together with his uncle to practice dribbling and enhance his basketball skills. He fondly remembers borrowing basketball from other players in order to play since he did not have his own ball at that time.

Be that as it may, Jed did not lose interest in playing basketball in spite of his circumstances. Rather, he pursued his interest by playing with various kids of his age in his neighborhood even for the sake of "ice water."

MPBL Aspirant: Austin S. Meralles Wants To Play In The MPBL Like His Idol Richard Albo

 

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.

MPBL Aspirant: VJ Vegamora Wants To Prove Doubters Wrong

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."

MPBL Aspirant: Prinze Ivan Interno Keeps The Faith

   

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.

MPBL Aspirant: Jommel Parquez Thinks A Degree Is Bigger Than Basketball

 

Jommel Parquez may be lacking in height to be a superstar player in any team, but nobody can deny his love for the game of basketball. He began playing basketball at the age of ten (10) when he was a grade four (4) student at Cataning Elementary School in Balanga, Bataan. 

Because of basketball, he was able to gain new friends who eventually became his teammates. Just like most of the pinoy kids at their age, he and his friends enjoyed playing basketball right after their classes.

"Sampung taon (10) gulang pa lamang ako noon, sobrang nahilig ako sa Basketball hanggang sa makasali ako sa team ng aming paaralan. Dahil po sa basketball nagkaroon ako ng mga tunay na kaibigan. Araw-araw ko po silang kasama at lagi kaming naglalaro ng basketball kaya naisip po namin na sumali sa liga sa aming baranggay tuwing summer,  said Jommel Parquez in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy."

MPBL: Bling Murillo Gives Back

 

The Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has finally allowed the resumption of training by college student athletes in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ). However, the specific guidelines from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is yet to be released.

This is a very good news for student athletes who have been unable to play basketball, much less train, in the past seven (7) months. It means that they can now play scrimmages in preparation for their respective tournaments. As we all know it's very important for athletes to maintain a high level of conditioning and be in top shape to remain competitive.

The recent pronouncement by the IATF-EID is likewise timely since college basketball has been put in the limelight lately, although for the wrong reasons. To recall, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers held a bubble training in Sorsogon in spite of the prohibitions against basketball training. 

MPBL: Choi Ignacio Wants To Prove His Worth

 

Choi Ignacio's basketball journey started when he was a 10-year old kid at his hometown in Kasanyangan, Zamboanga City. He developed his love for basketball as he regularly played after his classes in a half basketball court near their house.

It didn't take long for him to try his luck by joining basketball try-outs. When he was in first year high school, he was asked to try out for his school's varsity team while he was watching the practice session of a college varsity team.

While the timing might not have been perfect, he did try out but only for a day. He found the training difficult so he didn't return in the succeeding sessions.

MPBL Aspirant: Jahzeell Fresco Believes Hard Work Is Key

Jahzeell Fresco started playing basketball at the tender age of three (3) after his father made him a ring at their house. As young as he was, he practically spent his free time playing basketball.

He was a grade four (4) student when he had his first taste of competitive basketball, although he was only subbed in during garbage time. He fondly remembers that her mother becomes angry whenever he gets rough treatment from older and bulkier players.

His early exposure, nonetheless, helped in his development. When he reached the sixth (6th) grade, he was selected to represent his batch in the intramurals. His basketball journey was stalled, however, when he struggled in his first three (3) years high school to crack the lineup of his varsity team.

MPBL Aspirant: Edison Macua Wants To Play Pro

Edison Macua is a 25-year old 5'9 guard from Nueva Estrella, Bien Unido, Bohol. His basketball journey started at the age of seven (7) in his neighborhood where he often play for "ice tubig" against other kids, be it 5x5 or 3x3.

It didn't take long before his skills were noticed. While in grade six (6), he was selected as a member of his school's basketball varsity team which won the District Meet championship. The team advanced to the Provincial Meet but they eventually lost. Consequently, he was not selected to represent the province of Bohol in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA), a step away from the Palarong Pambansa.

Edison Macua did not find much success in his early years of secondary education. Unfortunately, he was not selected as varsity in his first (1st) and second (2nd) year at Carlos P. Garcia National High School supposedly because of his height and body built.

MPBL Aspirant: Jhon Allan Ondoy Wants To Inspire

Jhon Allan Ondoy is a 19-year old guard from Sto. tomas, Davao Del Norte. He started playing basketball when he was attending grade 3 at Marsman Elementary School although he was a bit hesitant to play with other kids owing to his lack of confidence in his skills.

"Sa una, ay naiilang akong makipag laro sa mga kaibigan ko dahil nag do-doubt ako sa kakayahan ko dahil baka pagtawanan lang ako. Pero bata palang ako gustong gusto ko nang maka paglaro ng basketball, said Jhon Allan Ondoy in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy."

At first, Jhon Allan Ondoy was contented just dribbling the ball at the sidelines while watching other kids play basketball inside the court. Little by little, he  practiced his shooting in order to gain confidence.

Upon reaching grade six (6), he became more confident of his basketball skills so he participated in pickup games even against older high school students. Sometimes, he plays for twenty (20) peso bets just for the sake of competing. Such experience ignited Jhon Allan Ondoy's desire to play competitive basketball.

MPBL Aspirant: Raeuly Dan Tolentino Wants To Prove Doubters Wrong

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is about to start its playoff matches. In the Philippines, however, basketball remains in the doldrums since the Covid-19 pandemic is showing no signs of stopping.

The Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) status over Metro Manila and nearby provinces is about to end on 18 August 2020. According to the initial study of some experts based on the data gathered during the first week of the MECQ, they observed a reduction in the R-naught from 1.4 prior to the MECQ to around 1.18 after the first week of the MECQ. This shows that the lockdown helped in curbing the rate of transmission. We truly hope that they are right so that businesses will return to their pre-Covid operations.

For basketball, there's still no words from the Philippine Bastketball Association (PBA) or the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) as to when they can resume their matches. To recall, there are only four (4) teams remaining in the MPBL who are disputing the National Championship Trophy. Hopefully, the situation in our country improves so that the champion of the Lakan Cup season can already be determined.

On another note, we feature another aspirant who wants to become an MPBL player someday. If you are new to our blog, please like our Facebook and Twitter page.