Pinoy joins Warriors Jam Squad

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino has cracked the Golden State Warriors Junior Jam lineup and the 10-year-old hip-hop dance whiz happens to be former PBA chairman Casiano (Jun) Cabalan’s grandson. It took Jordan Deang, whose mother Pearl is Cabalan’s daughter and father Tim is an entrepreneur, a failed tryout last year before pulling through to become one of only three boys in the 23-strong squad that will perform during halftime of the Warriors NBA home games at the Chase Center in San Francisco this season.

Deang and his parents live in Union City, California, less than an hour’s drive to the Chase Center and they’re Golden State diehards. In introducing the roster the other day, the Warriors website said the kids, whose ages range from six to 14, are electric, dynamic, confident and full of passion. “The team is going to bring the fire this season,” noted the website. “We can’t wait to watch them shine and grow.”

Deang is in fifth grade at Delaine Eastin Elementary School in Union City. Born and raised in the US, he started dancing two years ago and has garnered awards from conferences such as Kaos and Monsters Dance. Deang plays basketball in the St Anne’s church league and his team went 11-0 in the Mission Valley Championships last season. He also plays AAU level with Hoopshere. Deang recently attended Jeff Cariaso’s camp in the Bay Area where he met the Blackwater coach and former PBA player Tony de la Cruz.

It wasn’t easy making the Junior Jam Squad. He was among the final cuts last year and worked hard to earn a spot on his second try. “The Junior Jam Squad is composed of a diverse group of talented kids and Jordan is one of the youngest,” said Cabalan. “His dream is to be a Warriors player someday or a choreographer and dancer. He has a jampacked schedule with dance classes all over the Bay Area, dance productions, conventions and basketball practices all week and competitions on weekends.”

Deang began honing his basketball skills when he was eight and as a point guard, is proficient in dribbling behind the back and between the legs. “He’s super competitive,” said Cabalan. “There were over 90 kids who tried out this year and 40 reached the final round.” One of Deang’s prized possessions is a photo with the Warriors’ Filipino hypeman Franco Finn who was in Manila to work the crowds at the recent FIBA World Cup.