STRONG Group Athletics' (SGA) quest for redemption in the Dubai International Basketball Tournament has been so far, so good.
Reinforcements Chris McCullough, Malachi Richardson, and DeMarcus Cousins have been as good as advertised, while the local backups have stepped up as well in their undefeated run that now has them in the semifinals.
READ: Strong Group Athletics rips Al Sharjah to book Dubai semis ticket
Spearheading the locals' effort is Rhenz Abando who, as it turns out, has something more personal to play for in the tourney.
Lola's boy Rhenz
Just days after SGA's arrival in Dubai, the 6-foot-2 wing received heartbreaking news – his grandmother, whom he affectionately called lola Ansing, passed away.
Raised in a family without a father figure, his grandmother took care of him, providing the love and support he needed to thrive.
“Laking lola ako. Lumaki ako sa pamilyang walang tatay, so lola ko naging nanay sa'min and nanay ko naging tatay para sa'min,” he shared. “So simula noong bata ako, kasama ko na lola ko. Siya na nagpalaki sa'ming magkakapatid kaya masasabi kong close ako sa lola ko and lola’s boy talaga ako.”
For the Abando family, lola Ansing wasn't just a matriarch, she was the cornerstone of their lives.
“Nakita ko lahat nang sakripisyo niya para sa'min kaya super love na love ko yung lola ko na yun,” he said with emotion.
Despite the weight of grief on his shoulders, however, the 26-year-old chose to remain with Strong Group - choosing to play not only for his teammates, but also for the memory of his lola and the family who needs him now more than ever.
“Laking tulong na lang din sa akin ang laro, kahit paano nakakalimutan ko yung bigat ng nararamdaman ko,” he stated,
“Ginagawa ko kasi 'to para sa pamilya ko, hindi lang para sa sarili ko. Gusto ko makaranas sila ng magandang buhay, lalo na yung lola and mama ko. Dami nilang sinakripisyo para sa'min.”
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