It’s not the easiest thing trying to be the best player on the court and be the perfect father to your kids, but this is what these PBA players are striving to do day in and day out, amid the grueling playoff grind or a frustrating campaign.
For Father’s Day, we asked eight PBA personalities to reflect on the best and most challenging things about being a dad.
LA Tenorio, Barangay Ginebra
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Best: Giving time to my family is the best, especially with these boys, seeing them watching my games, and also inspiring them. We’re blessed to be in this position and we’re grateful that we’re inspiring our kids and also the other children by playing basketball.
Most challenging: Time management is very challenging. It’s really hard, especially if it’s the playoffs. You want to spend time with them, but at the same time, you have to balance it with rest.
Joe Devance, Barangay Ginebra
Best: The best part of being a dad is waking up and seeing them, being with them everyday. It’s always a blessing. In today’s world, you really don’t know what’s going to happen. I cherish every second I’m here with them with my beautiful wife.
Most challenging: I just want to continue being a better father, a better husband, and a better person. That’s what I strive to do.
Marc Pingris, Star Hotshots
Our treasures😚😍 @danicaspingris #pingtripsjapan #pingtrips
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Best: When I see my kids happy. I go out there and work hard for them, so even when I’m tired, they give me the happiness and the strength to work harder.
Most challenging: Number one most challenging thing is disciplining your child. I grew up without a father, so the first thing my taught me was discipline, so that’s what I’m trying to teach my kids too so that one day, they will know what’s right and wrong.
Mark Barroca, Star Hotshots
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Best: After a loss, knowing that my wife and my baby are there for me makes me happy.
Most challenging: It’s splitting time between your family and basketball. When games end late, sometimes I don’t take them with me to the games anymore. So sometimes we don’t have time. Sometimes I don’t see my daughter when she wakes up when we have practice. It’s really one of the challenges being a father and a basketball player.
Marcio Lassiter, San Miguel Beermen
Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Best: I’ll start with the good stuff. It’s a blessing to have the kids running around and you see the joy in their faces. Also trying to be there for the kids and just see them grow everyday—because they grow fast each day, these guys grow like bean sprouts. They shoot up to the air—it’s cool to see. It may be challenging at first, but at the end of the day, it’s great. To see Monta get into school programs, you cherish those things.
Most Challenging: The hardest thing I remember [is when I had] my first one, Monta. I didn’t know what’s going to happen, it was a new experience. The first one is the most challenging part, and if you get two or more it’s a process. It’s a long commitment, for the kids, so they always have a father figure to look up to.
Gabe Norwood, Rain or Shine Elastopainters
Good morning Manila! All smiles watching these NBA games to start the day. #NorwoodBoys
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Best: Best part is being able to guide and shape the lives of your own flesh and blood.
Most challenging: Part of having 2 kids means totally different personalities, different was to communicate and different interests.
Nash Racela, TNT KaTropa
Best: The fun part is having kids and having a family.
Most challenging: Of course, the challenging part is the obligation to provide for them. That’s the hardest part. You work because you want to provide for them.
Ranidel de Ocampo, TNT KaTropa
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Best: The happiest part of me is the time I spend with my family, when I get to take care of them. It’s amazing feeling.
Most challenging: The most challenging thing is how to be the best father in your kids’ eyes. So when you achieve that, you’re complete as a father. It’s like winning the championship. Nothing beats the feeling when your kids see you as the best dad. —Compiled by Bong Lozada, Randolph Leongson