GLENN Khobuntin is one proud dad these day as son Clark Khobuntin will play for flag and country for the first time as part of the Gilas Youth team vying in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers this weekend in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The call-up felt like a full-circle moment for Glenn, who donned the national jersey as a member of the Gilas Pilipinas team that won gold medals in the 2015 SEABA Men’s Championship and the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, respectively.
READ Cone loans some Ginebra coaches to Gilas Youth for Tenorio debut
But unlike the TNT wingman who didn’t get to represent the country until he was in his 20s, the young Khobuntin is starting his national team career at such as young age.
The 6-foot-2 Clark, who is currently with the National University Nazareth School, is turning 15 next month.
And making things more fulfilling for the elder Khobuntin was the fact that his son took up basketball just a few years ago.
“Kelan lang yan. Mga 12 years old siya nung nag-start (maglaro),” Khobutin shared after TNT’s 111-103 win over Rain or Shine Wednesday night in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“Kaya happy ako sa kanya, kasi unang-una bigla na lang siyang naglaro ng basketball.”
Clark was actually was based and studying in Bicol when he began to think about following in the footsteps of his father, who won a UAAP men’s basketball title with National University and is now a four-time PBA champion with the Tropang 5G.
“Alam ko na gusto niyang maglaro noon, so nag-decide na akong papuntahin siya dito (Manila),” said the 33-year-old forward.
A week-long break in TNT's All-Filipino Cup campaign will allow Khobuntin to travel to the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando to watch his son play for Gilas U16 team under coach LA Tenorio.
He's excited.
“May break kami, kaya makakapanood ako nun," said the proud father. "Puntahan ko siya sa Pampanga.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
