LAS VEGAS - If you're taking in a high school or AAU game here in the Sin City and suburbs, chances are, you'll see a familiar face among the men in zebra stripes.
Billy Moody.
But who is he and why should his name ring a bell?
Well, he was a standout at Letran back in those years when coach-turned-politician Binky Favis guided the Knights' basketball program.
"One of my best teammates from 1996 to 2001. Bait n'yan. Kami magkapalitan sa rotation ng team namin. Sobrang athletic 'yan. Pareho kami taga depensa," Converge coach Aldin Ayo told SPIN.ph.
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Moody, 45, was drafted 30th overall by Purefoods in 2002 and played one season with San Miguel a year later, earning a spot in a lineup with the two Dannys, Ildefonso and Seigle, both out injured.
Among his former teammates at San Miguel were Olsen Racela, Dondon Hontiveros, Nic Belasco, Benjie Paras, and the late Joey Mente.
Oh, those were the days.
After a brief fling with San Miguel Beer in the PBA (2003 season) and with the Toyota Otis of the now-defunct PBL in 2004, Moody, his wife, and their child packed their bags and moved to the US in 2011.
Thirteen years later, the couple has added three more children to their brood, making Moody a very busy family man.
"I work full-time sa Amazon," he told SPIN.ph and he also has a "sideline" refereeing high school and AAU games in Las Vegas.
Asked if he still has an itch to play, here's what he said.
"Sobrang na miss ko ang maglaro, na inggit nga ako sa mga kababayan ko na until now naglalaro pa. Pati dito pag may tournament ng mga Pinoy galing sa other states pinipituhan ko.
"They ask me bakit hindi ako naglalaro at ang sagot ko lang sa kanila ay mas pinili ko ang mag-referee. Kumita na, naka-exercise pa."
Becoming a certified referee in the state of Nevada requires passing a written exam, going through training sessions and completing on-court assessments.
And he is not alone. Among the several other former PBA players and figures who have now settled in Las Vegas include Ato Morano, Gilbert Demape and former coach Rino Salazar.
It's a happy bunch of Pinoys coming together and united by their shared passion for basketball. - Venancio Valencia
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