Gilas Pilipinas watches Batang Gilas play Indonesia in the 2017 Seaba U-16 Championship on Monday. Photo by Randolph B. Leongson/INQUIRER.net
For Jayson Castro, Matthew Wright, and Troy Rosario, watching Batang Gilas Pilipinas play in the 2017 Seaba Under-16 Championship on Monday brought back a lot of memories.
The three, who now play major roles as part of the men’s national basketball team, were nostalgic as they sat courtside together with their other teammates and coaches.
“I remembered back when I was still playing in the 18-under team. I see myself in them,” said Castro, who played in the 2004 youth team.
“I see how I was before when it was my first time playing in the national team. I was just like them, thin and lanky who is still learning the game,” said Rosario, who was part of the youth team in 2010 under then coach Eric Altamirano.
Rosario said his time with the youth squad was a big part of the kind of game he has today.
“I learned a lot about discipline,” said Rosario. “In these tournaments, especially with games being played every day, you have to know how to take care of your body. You really have to have the discipline when it comes to resting and the food you take.”
Wright shared that his run with the 2008 youth team under coach Franz Pumaren was an eye-opener on how to play the game with purpose, with players willing to make sacrifices for the success of the team.
“That was the first time I actually played for something bigger than myself — bigger than a club team, bigger than a school team. That was the first time I actually had to be selfless,” he said.
“My whole life, I’ve been selfish with basketball — you’re trying to be the best, you’re trying to get the accolades for the next level. RP Youth was the first time I actually played for the country. It gave me a sense of pride and that was the first time I really felt pride in being Filipino,” said Wright. :That was big and if it weren’t for the RP Youth stint, I don’t know if I would be here right now. I credit all that for coach Franz for picking me.”
Comparing their time to the current batch of Batang Gilas, the three agreed that the level of play has tremendously improved with the youth team.
“As I can see with them, they look like college players. They have great skills and Philippine basketball has really improved,” said Rosario.
“They don’t look like under-16 players. You can see it in their skill set and they have the potential to someday make it to the PBA and the international stage,” Castro marveled.
Wright reminded the young Filipino cagers to make the most out of their opportunity and appreciate that only a few are given the chance to represent the country.
“These kids are promising,” said Wright. “I hope they continue to develop and most importantly, they stay healthy. These guys are definitely on the right track right now. I just wish them the best of luck, the best of health.”