“Living in a dream”

Always by his father

MANILA, Philippines — Dr. Bimbo Tequillo’s side in several trips to the United States to watch significant NBA games, Cebuano basketball enthusiast Stefano Ferrer Tequillo has had his fair share of precious moments in the sport’s ultimate stage at a very young age.

Four years ago, Stefano had the time of his life when he saw Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and his teammates Melo Anthony, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis in action right before his eyes on December 14, 2021 at the Crypto.com Arena in LA, California.

Then on New Year’s Eve in 2023, he was in seventh heaven after fulfilling his wish of seeing his idol Stephen Curry in the flesh.

In that extra special occasion, the nine-year-old Grade 3 student of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) also marveled at the sight of Klay Thompson, Luka Doncic, and Kyrie Irving in a marquee matchup between the Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks at San Francisco’s Chase Center.

In June last year, the promising cager who aspires to become part of their school’s varsity team someday witnessed Game 3 of the best-of-seven 2024 NBA Finals between the Mavs and eventual champions Boston Celtics at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

This time, Stefano was treated by his dad Bimbo and mom Sheila to an unforgettable experience at the 74th NBA All-Star weekend last February 15-17 (Philippine time) at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

“For me, there is no better time than now even if my son is still this young,” Doc Bimbo shared. “My motto in life has always been ‘carpe diem’ meaning to ‘seize the day’ because tomorrow is never promised. I have experienced the All-Star weekend four times already and I felt like I have to bring Stefano on my fifth. I just decided that the time is now because it’s all I have - the now.”

And it’s all worth it.

From the Rising Stars showdown to the skills challenge, 3-point shootout, slam dunk contest, and the centerpiece NBA All-Star Game won by Team Shaq led by Curry, Jason Tatum, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard and James Harden, the star-struck Stefano embraced each moment with great delight.

Along the way, Stefano was able to rub elbows with a slew of famous NBA players such as Rising Stars MVP Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs, 3-point shootout champion Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat, Karl Anthony-Towns and Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Draymond Green of Golden State, Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers.

He also had a chance to get autographs, strike a pose and shake hands with some of the league’s iconic figures in Tracy McGrady, Grant Hill, Steve Smith, Jamal Crawford, Jason Terry, Yao Ming,  Shawn Marion, Baron Davis, Cliff Robinson, Vernon Maxwell, Baron Davis, Andre Iguodala, Zaza Pachulia, and Chris Mullin as well as WNBA legend Lisa Leslie whose popularity never fades through time.

“I’m so happy because I got to watch plenty of teams and I got a lot of pictures with NBA players,” said Stefano, who is extremely grateful to his parents for the opportunity. “It’s like I’m living in a dream.”

As they head back home with a heart filled with joy, Stefano surely carries along with him an extra luggage of priceless memories that he will cherish in his lifetime.