THE Lebron Jhames Daep sweepstakes is on.
This is understandable. Perhaps living up to his namesake, the 18-year-old son of former PBA player Rommel Daep has become one of the most sought-after high school graduates in recent memory following his dominant performance in the recently-concluded NCAA Season 100 juniors’ basketball tournament.
In that tournament, the lanky, 6-foot-7 center emerged MVP in both the finals and regular season as he led University of Perpetual Help Daltas to a first-ever championship since joining the country’s oldest school league 41 years ago.
READ Rommel Daep walked so son Lebron Jhames could run - and fly
Naturally, with such impecable credentials, many schools are falling over each other to get the young phenom to sign up. The Altas are considered to have the inside track because it was the school that gave Daep a break, but it should not be resting on this advantage.
The college leagues, particularly the UAAP, are known to throw unbelievable perks and promises, which may include financial grants, to players and their families to make them sign on the dotted line.
The Altas remain the sentimental option though, especially after giving Lebron Jhames the home he needed when he first set foot in Manila from Legazpi City in Albay as a raw but talented 16-year-old player.
One other thing going for Perpetual Help is that at least five of Daep’s Junior Perps teammates have already committed to play for Altas coach Olsen Racela and Lebron may feel comfortable playing with his old pals.
But the Daep family will surely be torn by many other factors such as friendships, past relations and the future of the family which can be secured by joining a particular college.
For instance, San Sebastian, where his father was once a star player and part of the legendary quintet that won five straight NCAA men’s basketball titles from 1993 to 1997, may try to cite this past ties with the school to get Lebron. The Stags are also on a rebuilding stage behind a new backer in Starhorse Shipping Lines and a new coach in Rob Labagala.
READ Altas gain commitments of 5 junior stars, but Daep still mum
Then there is La Salle which is reported to be very keen on landing the young Daep as it tries to find a new star big man following the exit of big man Kevin Quiambao, who opted not to play his final year with the Taft Avenue-based school.
If there is any doubt regarding La Salle's intentions, this was probably eliminated when Green Archers coach Topex Robinson was seen watching Game 1 of the Perpetual vs. La Salle Greenhills finals just before the Holy Week at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Robinson may simply say he was there to get acquainted with Lebron's father, who happens to be his former teammate at San Sebastian.
With Daep such a promising prospect, we are holding our breath wondering what University of the Philippines and Ateneo, schools with deep pockets and equally aggressive recruiters, have to offer. - Gerry Ramos
Alas Pilipinas targets lukewarm to call-up?
Alas Pilipinas Women’s early preparations for the 2025 national team calendar are off to a tricky start.
Multiple sources said some teams, both in the college and pro ranks, are still reluctant to lend their players to the forthcoming national team tryouts.
One of the high-profile names in the 33-woman wishlist told SPIN.ph how she only learned that she has been invited on social media and that her team has yet to inform her that she has been formally chosen to vie for a national team spot.
“I only saw it [the wishlist] online. I wasn’t informed about it [by the team],” the player said.
Of the 33 players invited to join Alas, 14 to 18 will be selected to join the final pool for the nationals’ upcoming international competitions.
The coming events will be crucial not only to the country's campaign to become relevant in international competitions, but also to the future of Alas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito who had been given a coaching contract that is set to expire at the end of the year, around the same time that the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games will be ending.
Whether or not Alas can end a two-decade SEA Games medal drought will play a huge part on de Brito’s future at the helm of the Philippine team. - John Mark Garcia
... by the way
It would be unfair if only de Brito should get all the blame in the event the national team's campaign ends in disgrace in Thailand.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) should also be held accountable as it watches with no discernable contribution to the popularity of women's volleyball while allocating hundreds of millions on the hosting of the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship later this year - an event deemed by many will never contribute to the improvement of men's volleyball in the country.
This early, sources said, the PVL should be more transparent by disclosing the financial details in hosting the men's world championship. It should disclose its total budget and itemize how it is going to be spent.
Women's volleyball, which is responsible for making the sport reach unpararelled heights in popularity, is being treated like a second-class citizen, getting crumbs while men's volleyball, that has so little following, is treated like royalty.
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