LOOK for a prototype of a street baller and chances are Alwin Alday more than likely fits that mold.
Growing up on the streets of Tondo, the shifty guard has been impressive in every level he's played in, from his days in La Consolacion College under coach Bong dela Cruz to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), where he suited up for Quezon City and now, Bicol.
But the 5-foot-10 slasher seems tailor fit to the halfcourt game, with his fine performances in the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup presented by TM as part of Bicol Paxful 3x3 Pro.
"Sa performance ko, di ko naman magagawa yun kung hindi dahil sa teammates ko," said the 30-year-old Alday.
"Nagbunga lang yung pinapractice ko kasi nung pandemic, bumili ako ng sarili kong court. Sa tapat ng bahay namin, doon ko tinayo at nagshu-shooting talaga ako, doon ako nage-extra."
After his collegiate career for the Blue Royals ended in 2012, Alday was a fixture in the recreational leagues around Metro Manila, played in weekend tournaments after devoting his weekdays to his family's hardware business.
"Pagdating ng weekends, sabay-sabay lahat. Umaga pa lang, lalaro na ako sa Dumlao (Gym), lilipat sa Makati Coliseum, Upper Deck. Mamaya magugulat ka yung isang venue sa Asia Pacific (College) naman sa Paranaque. Tinatiyaga ko yun, walang pang-gas. For the love of the game lang," he said.
That exposed Alday himself to tougher competition, forcing him to step up his game.
"Kasi sa mga recreational leagues, makakalaban mo ang mga ex-pro. Nandoon din minsan yung mga naglalaro pa sa UAAP. So doon, laro lang ako ng laro at nagiging kaibigan ko na sila. Pasa pasa ng mga liga, marami akong nakakalaro, marami din akong natututunan sa kanila, lalo na yung mga ex-pro na nakakasama ko," he said.
Eventually, these connections also linked him up with persons who gave him the breaks he never thought he'll get.
First was Commie Espina, who included him in the Zark's Burger-Lyceum squad for the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup. Alday, though, admitted that he shied away from joining the team knowing that the Jawbreakers squad was geared to prepare the Pirates for the NCAA season.
"Sinama niya ako sa lineup kahit na school-based, pero di ko na rin nalaruan kasi parang nahiya na ako," he said.
When one door closes, a window opens, and the following year, the MPBL opened shop.
That opened another opportunity for Alday, who was called up by Conrado Gicanal of Royal MNL, to play for the Quezon City Capitals.
"God-willing naman, nagkaroon ng MPBL at yung isa kong boss sa recreational league, si boss GK, doon ako naglaro ng two seasons," he said.
After the Datu Cup, Alday sought to reunite with his old coach Dela Cruz in Pasig-Sta. Lucia Realtors, but as the Lakan Cup approached and no contract came his way, Bicol Volcanoes coaches Monel Kallos and Nomar Isla reached out to him.
Now, that partnership isn't limited in the MPBL as it also paved the way for him to play in the pioneering professional 3x3 league in the country.
Like any other player, Alday shared that it was also a hard adjustment, that as much as he started his basketball journey in the hoop his father installed outside their house, the official 3x3 rules are a whole lot different from the traditional five-a-side game.
"Sobrang nanibago ako. Akala ko sobrang relax lang ng 3x3, pero pagdating ko grabe ang hingal ko. Di ko matapos ang isang game," he looked back on his first taste of 3x3 in last year's MelMac Cup.
Months later, here he is looking like a killer in the Calambubble inside Inspire Sports Academy as he banners the Bicol squad together with Jonathan Aldave, Jerome Garcia, Mon Mabayo, and Darwish Bederi.
And to say that Alday is thriving is a massive understatement.
He played a key part for Bicol as it took down the favoried Family's Brand Sardines Zamboanga City squad, 21-19, in the preseason tournament - the lone team to ever score a victory over the two-leg champions.
It was only a preseason event, but it's already a tremendous achievement for Alday and Co.
"Talagang nung papunta kami dito, pag sinabing Chooks-to-Go 3x3 ang maiisip mo (Joshua) Munzon, (Alvin) Pasaol, (Troy) Rike, (Santi) Santillan. Pero sabi ko nga kay Jerome, nandyan na tayo, bakit hindi pa tayo magpakilala?," he said.
"Kasi ang talagang titignan na team yung Philippine team. Parang tutulong lang tayo sa kanila sa Olympic qualifier. Pero nandito na tayo, i-prove na rin natin sa kanila na pwede tayong maglaro ng di lang tayo pang-5-on-5, pang-3x3 din. I-gain natin yung respect ng bawat team na kasali dito sa bubble," he said.
Does Alday see himself excelling more in the 3x3 game? He hopes so. But as always, he will never say no to any break going his way.
"Di ko inakala na yung 3x3, lalaruin ko ng ganito na pro. Kung mabigyan ako ng chance na lumaro sa mas mataas sa 3x3, bakit naman hindi kasi magandang experience yung 3x3 eh. Napapanood ko internationally na ang ganda ng competition, so bakit hindi kung may chance?," he professed.
That, however, remains too far in the future as Alday's eyes are locked in on helping his side compete in the ongoing President's Cup.
"Mababa pa yung consistency namin, pero gusto ko pa taasan yung nilalaro ko," he said. "Sabi ko naman sa teammates ko, pag sinuswerte, doon lang ibigay sa akin. Siguro sinuswerte lang na nashu-shoot yung mga tira ko, pero di naman lagi yun. Syempre mache-check ka rin ng ibang kalaban, so mag-adjust na lang, tiyaga tiyaga."
"Ang pinanghahawakan lang namin ngayon, yung laging champion, kami lang ang tumalo dyan. Kahit preseason, kami lang ang tumalo sa kanila. Di man kami swertehin sa mga susunod na laro, di man kami manalo, sisiguraduhin namin na hindi namin ibibigay yung panalo ng ganung kadali."
And if Alday's performance further cements the moniker he's got, then so be it.
"Parang mas feeling ko, nag-hype pa ang pangalan ko dito. Sana na lang mapakita ko sa court na all win all day talaga," he said.
All win, all day, indeed.
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