SEAN Chambers played part in a bright past for Philippine basketball.
He sees the same for the sport’s future.
Upon venturing into coaching since the end of his basketball career, Chambers witnessed up-and-coming talent both in the youth level and in the collegiate scene with Far Eastern University grow as men among boys.
He was even at the sidelines in San Fernando, Pampanga to witness Gilas Pilipinas Youth’s near-perfect domination of the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers.
With what he saw, from one blowout win to another, the six-time PBA champion went as far as saying that the Philippines’ young basketball talent is among the world’s finest.
“I'm so proud of the talented kids out there. There were three guys out there from FEU. I was proud of those guys,” Chambers told SPIN.ph.
“It just shows what coach Tim [Cone] and I talked about, and coach Richard [del Rosario], is that when it comes to talent and grassroots basketball, we're one of the best in the world.”
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Chambers even cracked a familiar joke on how the country’s young guns, ranked 35th in the world, can scale new heights — one he and Cone would know best.
“We just got to continue to drink more Alaska milk so we get taller,” said Chambers, he of six championships with the Milkmen.
“We have the height and we can play with anybody in the world because from little kids on up, our grassroots basketball is phenomenal."
Now out for a sixth youth continental title, the Tamaraws shot-caller believes that the nationals’ versatility on both ends of the floor will be their key to longevity at the highest level.
“Big shout out to coach LA [Tenorio] for doing a great job. I was impressed with the press and I was impressed with the flow of their offense,” Chambers said.
“The guys really play for one another and the one thing we talk about with Gilas is to always play for one another. That doesn't always mean offense. That also means defense and loose balls and hustle plays.”
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