AS the Letran Squires went on a counterattack against a much-older 25-under team in an offseason game at the Moro Lorenzo center before the recent NCAA juniors title conquest, Andy Gemao caught a pass from Jovel Baliling from half court and casually threw it down like it was a layup.
“Napa-wow ako,” Squires coach Allen Ricardo admitted of that highlight play. “I know Andy can dunk, pero…nung pinasa niya (Baliling), sobrang nagulat ako dun sa taas ng talon. May ganun pala si Andy. On a lob pass, nakuha niya perfectly.”
That singular moment proved Apl Mcandrei “Andy” Gemao is among the rising stars in Philippine sports.
Literally and figuratively.
For sure, basketball fans have seen highlights of Gemao’s hops since he suited up for Letran last season and helped the Squires end their two-decade championship drought.
READ: Andy Gemao, Letran Squires end NCAA juniors title drought in style
But it took years of hard work for the pride of Iligan City to improve his jumping ability with plyometrics workouts and basketball skills since he started playing the game at 4 years old with his dad, Mark, acting as his first coach.
First playing competitive hoops at age 9, Andy went on to help his province win a silver medal in the Palarong Pambansa three years later.
Gemao got his first break in Manila in the Jr. NBA National training camp where he drew attention and was recruited by National University-Nazareth School under coach Goldwyn Monteverde.
But Monteverde’s move to University of the Philippines left Gemao and some other players stuck in limbo.
But a window at Letran opened as Ricardo, in his first head-coaching gig, looked for recruits and asked former teammate Tom Chua, who was a deputy of Monteverde, for recommendations, paving the way for Gemao to land in Intramuros.
Ricardo had already heard about Gemao’s jumping ability, but the young coach still wanted to see it for himself.
Gemao made his coach a believer in a practice session at The 3rd Fitness Lab along Tomas Morato in Quezon City.
“Yung inabutan ko siya, mataas na siya talaga tumalon. So kung ano yung nakikita niyo na nagva-viral sa social media, sabi ko nga, baka mababa lang yung ring, mga nine feet o 8.5,” Ricardo said with a chuckle.
“Eh yung pinagpa-praktisan namin, 11 feet, so nung dumunk si Andy, sabi ko legit pala yun. Hindi pala pa-hype lang.”
But Gemao is much more than a high-flyer. He as the complete package, attests Ricardo.
“Para sa akin, add-on na lang yung (dunking),” Ricardo said. “I’m looking at Andy as a good defender. He can shoot from the outside. He’s a great leader, so hindi lang dun sa dunk niya.”
“If we give him a special play, he can do it eh. Tiningnan ko yung decision-making ni Andy. And he understands how to play the game. So yun din yung isa sa nag-catch sa akin na pwede ‘tong bata na ‘to. Basketball player talaga,” he added.
His maturity earned him a national team call-up. Days before he turned 16, Gemao became the youngest member of the Gilas Pilipinas Youth team to the Fiba Under-16 Asian Championships last year.
Then the 6-foot combo guard went on to make the NCAA juniors division his personal playground, becoming part of the Mythical Five and being named the Finals MVP after averaging 17.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in the title series.
Turning 17 just last June 26, Gemao, according to Ricardo, has committed to play for the Squires for the next two seasons.
After that, Ricardo believes his ward is good enough to earn a college scholarship in the US, confirming that at least three US schools are courting him.
“I do believe Andy can go to Division I. That’s my assessment,” Ricardo said. “I’ve been to the US and nakita ko ang kaya gawin ng mga bata dun at his age. Andy can make it. It’s just a matter of kailangan lang ng proper guidance. Kailangan ng right person dun na matututukan at malalatagan si Andy na, ‘O, ito yung plano namin para sa’yo.”
“As we all know, yung ganyang skill level ni Andy, syempre madaming ganyan sa US. But the most important thing is yung coach doon kung paano siya maga-guide and kung paano yung magiging commitment din ng coach sa kanya. Kasi with the work ethic of Andy, hindi matatawaran,” he added.
Ricardo feels blessed to handle a unique talent like Gemao.
“When I started coaching in 2008 with coach Louie Alas, so na-witness ko ang mga high school players dito sa Pilipinas. Sabi ko nga eh, pag dumating yung time na magco-coach ako at ready na ako pag mabigyan ako ng opportunity, sana magkaroon ako ng player na yung sinasabi nga nila na talagang pangdiinan.”
“Kung ano yung nakikita ko sa States, I’ve been dreaming of that. Normal naman sa States yung ganung calibre, pero if you’re talking about the Philippines, medyo ibang level. Si Andy Gemao lang yung nakita kong ganun eh,” he added.
Gemao is so special that Ricardo can’t think of anyone to compare him to.
“Meron madaming magaling mag-shoot, ‘di ba? Pero yung level ni Andy, medyo iba. Yan ang masasabi mong elite. Wala akong makita na ma-compare sa kanya. Nakita ko naman yung Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena. Nakita ko naman yung Kevin Alas, Roi Sumang, Terrence Romeo, Mark Cruz – na mga nanggaling sa Squires. Pero magkakaiba sila paano shumoot.”
“Pero itong bata na ‘to, hindi lang marunong shumoot. Kumbaga, he gives the community such energy to watch Letran games. Yun yung parang binabayaran dun eh,” he concluded.
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