CHICAGO - Fresh from winning a UAAP title with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Jacob Lao is hungry for more.
This time he wants to win a ring wearing a suit, not sneakers and shorts. And he wants the glory to unfold in the international arena.
And this is why Strong Realty, the team he owns, is making waves across sports headlines for assembling an All-Star cast that will compete in the 2023 Dubai Invitational Tournament later this month.
Lao's biggest catch is Nick Young, a legit NBA star more famously known as Swaggy P. And how Jacob snared such high-end talent was easier than I thought.
"Actually, it wasn't too hard. We worked on it together with coach Charles (Tiu) who spoke to Nick on the phone to make sure we were on the same page.
"Everything went smoothly after that. We are fortunate to have enough friends and contacts in the global basketball community to help us connect with high level players," Lao told me over the phone.
If their imports are impressive, wait 'til you see the locals, Jerom Lastimosa included, I am told, pending the ironing of protocols.
TAB BALDWIN ENDORSES JACOB
Already the youngest assistant manager in the history of the PBA at age 22, few doubt that the Converge executive could get the job done, including one Tab Badwin.
"Jacob has a lot of potential as an executive and a guy that manages sports teams and sports organizations. He is wise way beyond his years, has a great passion for basketball and he is a very good businessman," Baldwin, who is vacationing in Australia, told me.

Having played for him at Ateneo, coach Tab has a sense of what Jacob is capable of doing.
"He’s been obviously trained by his dad and his dad is a very astute businessman. Jacob checks a lot of boxes. We're very proud of him and what he's accomplished within our team and he was a great leader from within the Blue Eagles.
"He has a great work ethic, I know he's an extremely intelligent guy and a very, very competent young man," added Baldwin, who offered Jacob to be an assistant coach at Ateneo.
Still, winning in Dubai won't be a breeze.
In its 32nd year, this tournament invites only the best of the best, including Riyadi of Lebanon starring Wael Arajki and an array of national team members. Other tough teams in the mix feature Beirut and teams from Tunisia and Morocco.
WHEN MIGHTY SPORTS CAPTURED THE DIADEM TWO YEARS AGO THEY WERE THE FIRST NON-ARAB/MIDDLE EASTERN TEAM TO DO SO.
Having an All-Star line-up is a boost, but hardly a guarantee.
"It's hard, especially with only 10 to 12 days to prepare. But it's a challenge I've been used to for a few years now whenever we would join this Dubai tournament. But the biggest concern is massaging the egos of the players and their physical condition when they arrive.
"With these big stars you never know what you will get attitude-wise and we can only hope they are coachable. It's also hard to keep everybody happy with the playing minutes," coach Charles explained.
Tiu would need that magic he weaved during his amazing Finals run at the College of Saint Benilde in the NCAA to top the talented field in Dubai.
Like Strong Realty, the competition has invested a lot of time, money and resources to win the championship.
But unlike other coaches, Charles Tiu has a secret lethal weapon.
Jacob Lao.
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