ANTIPOLO – It was a dream come true for Peter Alfaro.
For someone who grew up learning the game from the same playing court, Alfaro felt surreal running up and down the Zamboanga City Coliseum court in Magnolia’s PBA Philippine Cup provincial sortie against Phoenix a week ago.
The Magnolia rookie admitted it brought back memories of his childhood days when he and his brothers would be trained by their father, former PBA player Pedro Alfaro.
“Dream come true especially na knowing dun ako naglaro, dun ako lumaki, dun ako tinuturuan ng dad ko,” said Alfaro.
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It just so happened the Alfaro household was just a stone’s throw away from the almost three-decade old arena now known as the Mayor Vitaliano Agan Coliseum.
“Nung bata ako, kami ng dad ko tsaka nung mga kapatid ko, we usually go there for ‘extra.’ Nag-e-extra work kami doon usually madaling araw,” recalled the 26-year-old guard, whose family owns the famous Alavar Seafood Restaurant.
“Yung court na yun sobrang memorable kasi yun ang times na nagba-bonding kami ng tatay ko. Tinuturuan niya ako, pinapa-takbo niya ako doon. Tapos biglang doon yung laro (PBA game).
Naturally, the entire Alfaro family was there and watched Peter play in a runaway 118-99 Magnolia win over Phoenix.
“Full circle moment kasi papa ko naglaro nung 1975 tapos ngayon 50 years na yung PBA tapos ako ang nandito rookie. So lahat ng blessing pumapasok kaya nagpasalamat ako kay Lord,” said Alfaro.
The rookie out of San Beda suited up for close to 20 minutes in the win over the woeful Dyip and finished with six points on two three pointers.
'Rare experience'
“Rare experience that you’re playing in front of my family, yung roots ko. Sobrang surreal lang ng moment na nakita ko yung family ko nandun, yung lola ko nandun,” said Alfaro, who studied in high school at the nearby Ateneo de Zamboanga.
“First time niya (Pedro Alfaro) akong mapanood sa PBA sa Zamboanga. Kaya sobrang special moment for me kasi kahit sinong player minsan lang maka-experience ng ganun.”
Alfaro continued to be part of coach Chito Victolero’s starting unit at Magnolia, which coasted to its fifth straight win by whipping Terrafirma, 127-94, on Sunday.
He finished with six points, four rebounds, and six assists as back-up to fellow Zamboangueno and veteran guard Mark Barroca.
“I just take it one game at a time, one practice at a time. Yung mindset ko parehas lang kahit nung naka-reserve pa ako,” said Alfaro.
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