INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines---He may be a thousand miles away from his family in California but San Beda?s six-foot-eight rookie Sudan Daniel feels at home in the Philippines.

?All our alumni and supporters make me feel at home. That?s why I don?t get home sick,? said the 21-year old American, who mans the slot for the Red Lions.

He considers his team mates as his family. ?I love these guys. They?re more like of a big family,? he added, although he says he keeps his Mom up to date with his activities as a student in Manila.

?My Mom and I talk a lot on the phone. She really keeps up with my games. They?re very supportive of me,? said Daniel, the youngest boy among four siblings.

Living in the country for a year gave Daniel a taste of Filipino hospitality although he had a hard time at first adjusting to local food.

?In the States, there?s so much variety. But my favorite food here are crispy pata, liempo, lumpiang shanghai and pancit canton. I eat pancit canton almost every day,? he said.

Crowd pleaser

Daniel admits to being a crowd-pleaser and tries to get everyone?s attention by dunking the ball whenever he sees the chance.

?Sometimes, I have a habit of trying to show-off and just have fun. Coach Frankie says that I need to focus and get the job done,? he said.

Daniel played only 22 minutes in San Beda?s season-opening game against Mapua last weekend but wounded up with 13 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots ? a terror on defense as well.

He likewise expresses himself off-court with his fondness for tattoos. He has eight so far, including his initials on his arms (S on left, D on right) and his middle name Marcellez imprinted on his back.

Being a Christian, Daniel has a tattoo of a cross on his left leg while a short prayer is tattooed on his right leg with the words ?AMEN? on his calf.

?This prayer is about asking for guidance and strength was said during the tribute mass for the championship last year. I felt that the prayer really connected with me,? he said.

Daniel, who graduated from the Compton Dominguez High School, began his career in basketball at the age of 16 but he came to love the sport at the early age of eight years old.

?Basketball is about thought processes. It is more on analyzing. It is more brains and less brawn,? said Daniel, who also dabbled in football before.

Studying in the Philippines and joining the San Beda Red Lions was a career move for the second year marketing student.

?It is an opportunity of a lifetime, a one of a kind experience. It will be helpful in my career,? said Daniel.

He is hoping his sting in the NCAA will help him score recognition points and get drafted in the PBA or maybe in the NBA.

?I want to further my career and keep moving up. I want to grow better in basketball,? said Daniel, who has high regard for Red Lions coach Frankie Lim.

?Coach Frankie was a great PBA player. He was one of the guys who get the job done. He has a high spirit with no negativity,? said Daniel.

After college, Daniel would like to take further studies in Basketball Psychology and become a physical therapist for athletes. ?Good is not enough. Better is possible. This keeps me striving,? he said.