Real ‘Rise’ stories

The 24 players picked from four tryout camps in Dagupan, Manila, Cebu and Davao were never in line for formal basketball training until the Nike Rise program came along. Some had tried out for school teams but weren’t taken for a variety of reasons, including lack of financial support from their families.

In fact, 16 of the 24 aren’t even enrolled in school. The eight who are in school are 5-11 Jude Luke Bulan, 19, of Cebu who is a college junior at the University of San Carlos, 5-7 Kristine Cayabyag, 12, of Dagupan who is in Grade 8 at the Judge Jose de Venecia Memorial National High School, 6-4 Kenric Cilot, 17, of Muntinlupa who is a college freshman at the Pamantasan Ng Lungsod Ng Muntinlupa, 5-4 Rossini Briana Espinas, 16, of Davao who is in Grade 10 at the Holly Cross of Davao College, 5-10 Dean Fudotan, 21, of Laguna who is a college junior at the STI College of Sta. Rosa, 5-11 Kenneth Manuel, 17, of Novaliches who is a high school senior at New Era College, 5-10 Jair Marabe, 17, of Tacloban who is a college freshman at the University of Cebu and 5-6 Michael Teves, 18, of Cebu who is a high school senior at the Salazar Institute of Technology.

If only for the reason that out-of-school youth were brought to a stage where they could be productive, Nike Rise must be commended. But more than that, Nike Rise has given an opportunity for 24 “undiscovered” talent of the streetball type to become team players with a clear pathway for a better future.

Over 800 boys and girls answered the call for tryouts and 5-time PBA Coach of the Year Chot Reyes and his staff made the tough decision to name 24 who formed the first batch of Nike Rise trainees. Reyes said it wasn’t just skill level that set apart the 24 but also their “Rise” stories. Each of the 24 had an inspiring “Rise” story to tell and Reyes took that into account in naming the 24.

A common love for basketball was what brought the 24 together. Reyes said he was amazed that everyone knew who Indiana Pacers All-Star Paul George was when he came to visit Manila recently. The 24 players knew everything about the NBA, PBA, FIBA and anything to do with hoops. It didn’t matter if a kid was enrolled in school or not. The passion for basketball was evident in every one.

One of the 24, Marabe, studied high school in Tacloban and found his way to the University of Cebu with the assistance of an international ministry. “I was a senior and a high school varsity player when Typhoon Yolanda struck on Nov. 8, a week before our league was scheduled to start,” he said in Pilipino. “Our family was homeless and we lived in an evacuation center. After Yolanda, there were offers of scholarships for typhoon victims. I applied and I was lucky to get in. Right now, I live in a bunkhouse. My enrolment is still being arranged.”

Marabe said he got a call from his coach to show up for the Nike Rise tryouts. “I’m happy because out of the many players who tried out, I was chosen to be one of the 24,” he said. “I hope in the six weeks of training, I’ll be able to improve my skills in dribbling, shooting and decision-making since I’m a point guard. I think the reason why I was chosen was because I’m a fighter. I work hard and never quit. Aside from the skills, I also give importance to attitude. I’m lucky to learn from coach Chot. I’ve learned from him the value of discipline – to eat, train and go to sleep on time. The facilities of Nike Rise are great. Nike has given us everything we need, especially our shoes. Off the court, they provide us with food. I dedicate my participation in this program to my family.”

Marabe said he hopes to play like his idol Jayson Castro. “I try to copy Jayson’s moves,” he said.

Another player Steven Andres is from Pandacan and unenrolled. Andres, 19, is 5-8. He dropped out of high school as a senior and tried out for the Lyceum varsity but wasn’t taken because of academic deficiencies. Andres has no high school diploma.

“When I was a high school freshman, my parents separated,” he said. “My mother went to Cebu and my father stays near my grandparents house which he visits sometimes and where I live. My grandmother works at the barangay hall while my grandfather repairs appliances like washing machines and electric fans. My father doesn’t really care about us seven children. He doesn’t do anything to sustain us so my grandparents are mad at him.”

Andres said he attended two high schools. “The first was a public high school,” he said. “I tried out for sepak takraw. When I reached second year, I was asked to try out for basketball. At first, I was afraid because I was small compared to the big players. But I found out later I could keep up with them. A public school then got me for a division meet. A Chinese school saw me play and recruited me. I never graduated high school. My coach stopped helping me when I was a senior. I still plan to finish high school.”

Andres said he’s thankful for the opportunity to learn in the Nike Rise program. “I’m learning the right attitude and I want to build camaraderie with my fellow players,” he said. “On the court, I want to know the right way to dribble and shoot. Also, for us to have better stamina and condition. I don’t know why I was chosen. Maybe, because I was able to do what the coaches tell us, I follow whatever they ask me to do. Maybe, because of my dribbling and shooting skills and my speed. I’ve learned to sleep and eat on time and to eat the right kind of food.”