LORENZO Bryan Competente, a 14-year-old standout who emerged as the MVP of last year’s Palarong Pambansa, has no plans of slowing down.
To fast-track his improvement, the 6-foot guard had decided to go to the United States to train and temporarily live there to compete against some of the best players out there. He wants to make sure he’ll be returning to the Philippines a better, smarter, more equipped player and takes a shot of achieving his dream – representing the national team in international competitions.
“In two years time, if given the chance, hindi ako magdadalawang isip maging part ng national team. Sobrang magiging dream come true sa akin kung mangyari yun kasi since bata pa ako nai-inspire ako sa mga representatives natin sa national competitions na binibigay nila ang lahat nila,” said the former La Salle Greenhills standout.
“Promise ko sa sarili ko, one day I will make my family and my country proud. Kaya eto ako sinisimulan ko na buoin ang mga pangarap ko.”
Competente is currently in the United States trying to equip himself more as he intends to take his game to a higher level. Attending training has crossed his mind as he finds the game more competitive, going up against bigger, more agile players that could help bring up to speed his improvement.
“Ibang-iba talaga laro dito,” added Competente. “I’ve seen that when we joined the City Hoops team of coach Homer Bautista and we competed in Las Vegas.”
Once he becomes a much better player, he’ll be returning to the country to play either in the UAAP or the NCAA.
Outside of his training in California, Competente had intense one-on-one training with local trainers based in the US.
“On the side, I’m doing intense one-on-one training para may baon naman ako paguwi ko sa atin. Most of the time kapag may mga local trainers na nakikita ako sa tournament na-appreciate nila yung skills ko lalo na alam nila na Pilipino. They would normally offer me free training and I would grab it always. Gusto ko lang talaga magpagaling pa.I really wanna make my family proud lalo na ang bansa natin if given a chance,” added Competente.