Ex-PBA champions underscore importance of learning basics of basketball

Former PBA champions Rico Maierhofer, Cyrus Baguio, Jerwin Gaco, Ryan Araña, and Poy Erram taught basketball basics to children during the PLDT Home Fiber Fastbreak event at the SM Megamall on May 11, 2024. Photo by Kennedy Caacbay, ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Former PBA players recently underscored the importance of learning the basics of basketball if a baller wants to reach the professional level.

Professional basketball champions Rico Maierhofer, Jerwin Gaco, Cyrus Baguio, and Ryan Araña emphasized this during the conclusion of PLDT Home Fiber Fastbreak — a month-long series that aimed to influence and teach youngsters on developing the basics of the game — on Saturday at SM Megamall.

Maierhofer, a two-time PBA champion with SMC teams Purefoods (now Magnolia) and San Miguel, likened the learning of basics to tightening the foundation of a building.

"Of course, 'yung basics kasi sometimes it is forgotten. Nagsho-shortcut 'yung mga bata, so important, first of all ma-enjoy nila 'yung basic. And then afterwards, makukuha mo 'yung foundation. Kumbaga sa isang building, if ini-start mo nang mahina 'yung foundation niya, 'pag dumating 'yung mga sakuna or earthquake, like 'yung mga competition, mababa 'yung foundation," Maierhofer said.

"So maganda, complete at matibay," Maierhofer added. "Nakaka-proud [din] na nagkaroon kami ng moment na mabigyan ng chance na ma-share 'yung knowledge namin sa mga bata."

Gaco, a five-time titleholder in the league, shared a message to the basketball youth who aim to reach pro level: do not forget the basics.

"Sa mga kabataan, siyempre sila 'yung mga next PBA [players] dito sa atin eh. So continue lang nila 'yung every day practice, 'yung mga basics, 'yung mga fundamentals na sinasabi nila kasi 'yun 'yung madadala nila hanggang paglaki nila," Gaco stressed.

"Kasi kahit kami, nag-PBA kami, 'yun pa rin eh. Dumadaan pa rin kami sa basic skills, fundamentals. Paulit-ulit mong gagawin 'yan hanggang makarating ka sa propesyon. Kahit sa anong trabaho, gano'n talaga."

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Baguio, a three-time PBA champion and also known for his high-leaping abilities, said that he's happy to share his rich basketball knowledge with the kids who want to learn the sport.

The ex-Red Bull Barako from Iligan City also revealed that he hosts basketball clinics in the countryside as a form of giving back to his compatriots.

"Siyempre marami kaming natutunan do'n [sa PBA], so shine-share namin sa mga kids. Actually, gumagawa din ako ng basketball clinics sa province eh, du'n sa amin so kumbaga malaking tulong na 'yon sa mga bata na matulungan namin, ma-share namin 'yung knowledge namin, mga basics, mga advanced din [ng] mga matatanda. So 'yun, masaya ako na nase-share ko 'yung knowledge ko sa basketball," Baguio said.

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Araña, also a former champion when he played for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, said that there are a lot of opportunities nowadays for kids who want to learn basketball.

"Marami na tayong option na pwede nating matutunan 'yung basics [ng] basketball, mga ex-PBA player or even the coaches, they can give the inputs para sa mga bata na talagang gusto at pinapangarap maging basketball player. So very lucky din 'yung mga bata ngayon."

The Manila leg was the last event after the brand held clinics in Davao and Cebu.

Cebu natives Carl Tamayo and Calvin Oftana of Gilas Pilipinas and RR Pogoy TNT Tropang Giga reconnected with their "kababayans" in the Cebu leg of the series while Poy Erram, Glenn Khobuntin, and Jayson Castro attended the Davao event.