FOR some college basketball players, the offseason does not exactly mean off as in day off. There are many things to do and one of them is play basketball because the game is simply their life.
So even if there is the chance that they may suffer an injury and jeopardize their careers, playing basketball while on vacation is a call that is too difficult to resist. It may be in a fiesta, an invitation from a friend, a small tournament or an exhibition in a far-flung place, you will see some of these college players doing their thing.
While there may be some kind of remuneration for these kind of games, it is not the main reason, it's just for the love of the game, it seems.
These players call it "panalay" hoops which they engaged in during the offseason, when organized basketball leagues such as the UAAP and the NCAA games are on a break.
These games, played away from the capital city and held in various provinces, attract quite a following. They are besieged by fans eager to see their favorite players whom they only see on TV.
Gilas Pilipinas forward and UAAP MVP and Finals MVP of De La Salle, Kevin Quiambao, said apart from the usual monetary benefits, there is something more important when he plays this kind of hoops.
For him, taking part in these 'panalay hoops' and 'ligang labas' games produces more things than what meets the eye.
'GIVING BACK TO THE FANS'
"Number one goal ko lang talaga (when playing panalay) is magpasaya ng tao," Quiambao said in an interview with SPIN.ph in an exhibition game in Calape, Bohol. "Also yung makapag-make friends and maka-meet ng new friends through playing with different players."
Quiambao said that his passion for the game practically rules his life. A day before playing in Bohol, for instance, Quiambao was seen giving it his all in a UAAP preseason game at PinoyLiga Cup for DLSU. That same night, he was on an airplane for Tagbilaran City in order to suit up for the next day's exhibition.
"Makikita mo yung passion ko na gusto ko talaga makapagpasaya ng mga tao, lalong lalo na yung mga nag-abang sa'kin. I think yung process na to is medyo nakakapagod, pero ayun nga sobrang worth nito dahil madami kaming mapapa-saya na tao naman and madami kaming mai-showcase sa mga fans."
Gilas Pilipinas youth standout and NBA's Basketball Without Borders camp attendee Andy Gemao, who just recently returned home after experiencing high school basketball in the US, says playing in these games is his way of giving back to fans who wholeheartedly support the game.
"Isa sa nagbubuhay ng mga athletes ay yung mga fans, so siguro isa na rin itong way sa pag give back sa kanila na makita nila kami maglaro," Gemao said in a separate interview.
Jared Bahay, Ateneo's prized recruit and a highly touted rookie in the upcoming UAAP season later this year, echoed Gemao's sentiments.
"Yung fans, grabe yung suporta nila, nakakatuwa. Kahit saan sa Pilipinas makikita mo talaga na, lahat, most of us and them ay mahilig sa basketball. It's an honor to play in front of them sa mga gantong laro," Bahay said.
LEARNING THE ‘GULANG' MOVES
While these games are often seen as a way for them to earn some extra cash, they also serve as a platform for players to hone their skills and learn from more experienced and older players.
Steve Nash Enriquez, a point guard for the NU Bulldogs, says there are learnings that college players get from playing in these games that they won't experience in organized basketball leagues (for their case, the UAAP).
"Yung experience talaga. Yung mga 'gulangan' talaga yung makukuha mo sa mga ganitong laro eh, yung tinatawag nila na mga medyo ahead na sa 'yo yung mga laruan kasi mas matatanda pa sayo," Enriquez said.
SJ Moore, who stars for the UST Growling Tigers, agreed, saying when young guys like him play in panalay hoops, they get exposed to older players and teammates and they get to pick up a thing or two on these “gulang” or what they call veteran moves and tricks and how to outsmart players and take advantage of situations.
"Marami akong nakukuha sa mga ganitong laro kasi yung mga nakakalaro ko, meron mga street-smart and yung mga natututunan ko sa kanila ay pwede ko madala sa UAAP," Moore said.
Bahay added: "Sa panalay talaga kasi matututunan mo yung mga gulang na mga manlalaro, yung mga sikreto, mga technique," he said with a smile.
Before starring for the Bulldogs, Enriquez played in a lot of these types of games at a young age in Cebu in his town in Minglanilla and beyond.
Now with NU, Enriquez takes part in exhibition teams in the offseason, previously playing for Northball, a team in Cebu composed of notable basketball personalities including PBA great Dondon Hontiveros, and he acknowledges learning a thing or two from experienced players he encounters in such games.
"Masarap maglaro sa ligang labas kasi competitive at maraming magagaling. Totoo naman talaga maraming mga magagaling sa ligang labas na hindi lang talaga nakalaro sa school, yung mga hindi nabigyan ng chance, ganon. Tapos macha-challenge ka din, so yun yung kinagandahan dun," said Enriquez.
Quiambao says whatever he learns by playing these games, he tries to apply it in the big leagues like the UAAP, Gilas Pilipinas, or wherever he plays.
"Masasanay ka sa mga dikdikan na laro, yung mga pisikalan, so ayun ang advantage ng panalay," said Quiambao. "Ginagamit ko yung advantage na yun para yung experience ko dito dinadala ko sa La Salle or kung saan man ako maglaro.”
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