BY Gwen Bergado
TIME was all Kelly Coronel needed to fulfill his father's dream for him.
Coronel, a key contributor for Bulacan's DPR Aviation College, played for the first time on the Mall of Asia Arena floor in the 2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM Supermalls.
A decade ago, he and dad Michael posed for a photo just outside of the Pasay venue, and on the same day, watched Marc Pingris in action for San Mig Coffee.
“Sinabi niya noon, 'Darating din ‘yung panahon na ikaw na mismo ‘yung makakapaglaro at kaming pamilya mo ang manonood sa'yo,” Kelly told SPIN.ph.
Unfortunately, fast forward to today, and father and son could no longer recreate their photo. In 2020, Michael died of a heart attack.
Still, the younger Coronel was proud to have proven his dad correct, as not only did he play at Mall of Asia Arena, he also helped the Bulacan club team reach the Division 2 semifinals by averaging 11.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
“Gusto rin niya yung makalaro nang ganito eh kaso hindi nangyari para sa kanya kasi mahirap yung buhay nila dati,” he shared, full of emotion.
“Parang magiging proud talaga siya na naaabot ko nang paunti-unti yung mga pinangarap niya na kahit 'di sa kanya [nangyari], sa akin naman,” he continued.
Coronel continues
Admittedly a late-bloomer in the sport, the now-17 year old only began taking basketball seriously in 2021, right after the lockdowns due to COVID-19 were lifted.
Before that, he only played during school intramurals because his then-schools didn't have varsity teams.
“Walang varsity sa school na pinasukan ko, liga-liga lang, tapos bangko pa ako doon,” he explained.
Now, aside from suiting up for DPR Aviation College in the Philippine 19-under basketball championship, Coronel is also playing for Emilio Aguinaldo College in the NCAA juniors.
“'Pag mas naging successful ako, mas matutulungan ko yung pamilya ko, less gastos kasi nagiging scholar ako sa mga school,” he said.
And though Michael is no longer by his side, Kelly still feels that his dad has got his back - at all times, whether that be in Mall of Asia Arena or whatever venue his young career takes him to.
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