BY Gwen Bergado
MADNESS in MOA is well underway, with the 2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM Supermalls now heading into its stretch run.
One of the 32 teams duking it out for the Philippine under-19 basketball championship is Davao-based AGCCI, with Nathaniel Carl Juros as one of its leaders.
Of course, getting to play at the SM Mall of Asia Arena for the first time was special for the 5-foot-5 guard - and his father Manolito wasn't going to miss it for the world.
And so, starting from Samal Island, around 1,400-km away from the Pasay venue, the elder Juros hitched several rides spanning more than a few days just to witness his son play on the big stage and under the bright lights.
“Wala, wala kasing pera ‘yung papa ko,” an emotional Nathaniel Carl told SPIN.ph. “Kaya ayun na lang ang ginawa niya para sa akin.”
According to a viral Facebook post that chronicled his heartwarming journey, from P5 Auring Village in Samal Island, Manolito hailed different trucks and stopped at different points in Mindanao, then Visayas, before finally reaching Metro Manila.
Without a doubt, the 20-year-old playmaker for AGCCI was appreciative of the measures his father took just to watch him.
“Noong pagsabi niya, andoon na siya sa truck, nakasakay na siya, ako, 'di makapaniwala habang nagte-training,” he said.
“Yung papa ko kasi, mula bata pa 'ko hanggang ngayon, siya ‘yung nag-impluwensiya sa akin.”
Unfortunately, Juros and the Mindanao wildcard's campaign came to a close in the Playtime Cares Fantastic 8 on Thursday.
Still, Nathaniel Carl will be bringing home a different yet just as meaningful trophy to treasure: another proof of his father's unconditional love.
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