SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Kevin Ferrer had himself a full circle moment watching Gilas Pilipinas Youth vie for a spot in the 2025 FIBA U-16 Asia Cup.
Seeing the nationals play, Ferrer could not help thinking of the time 16 years ago in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia when he played for his country and later became a member of the men's national team.
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In KL, the former University of Santo Tomas standout played a part in a historic fourth-place finish for the young nationals in the continental meet.
Ferrer, now 32, was on hand maybe to remind himself of what it felt to be on the cusp of a basketball future that had its beginnings as a teen hoopster playing for one's country. On the court were eager youngsters who surely are dreaming one day of PBA greatness.
The potential appears to be there as the Philippines whipped Thailand, 87-42, on Sunday.at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, for its second straight win.
“Sobrang proud ako sa team natin ngayon. Sobrang saya dahil nakita ko yung mga nilalaro nila at sobrang promising yung mga bata,” Ferrer told SPIN.ph.
“Sabi ko nga na nakaka-miss maglaro dito. Naalala ko na dito ako nag-umpisa [sa Gilas]. Dito nag-umpisa yung career ko kaya nakaka-miss din i-represent yung country natin.”
Whole new ballgame
While he reminisced about the past, he could not help notice the difference with his team's brand of basketball 17 years ago compared with today.
In particular, he noticed the players are bigger.
He recalled how the 2008 Gilas Youth squad had him as its tallest player at 6-foot-5.
This year’s Gilas Youth team alone has an average height of 6-foot-1, with its tallest player, Prince Cariño, standing at 6-foot-6.
“Yung panahon ngayon, sobrang lalaki na ng mga players natin,” Ferrer said.
“Kami, tanda ko pa nu’n, ako lang yung pinakamalaki du’n tapos kalaban namin mga seven-footers.”
His hope is for these young players tro become better and surpass the achievements of past Gilas Youth teams.
“Excited ako kung ano pa yung mararating nila. Hopefully, sa world (championships) na rin tayo maka-compete,” he said.
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