LA Salle rookie Andrei Caracut is thrilled to live his father’s dream.
The soft-spoken Lucban, Quezon native recalled that his father, Noel, aspired to become a popular basketball player during his younger days - a dream he has since passed on to his son.
“’Yung papa ko mahilig siya mag-basketball, gigising siya ng maaga (para maglaro) pero ayaw sa kanya ng basketball eh,” shared Caracut after debuting for the Archers in a 67-63 win over defending champion National University in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament on Sunday.
The 19-year old blue-chip recruit from San Beda said that as one of two boys in a brood of four, he was prepared at a very young age to pursue a dream daddy Noel never realized.
[See Green Archers frustrate holders Bulldogs in UAAP debut]
Growing up in the province, Andrei started in small town leagues before he honed his skills in basketball clinics in Quezon and in Manila.
“So ‘yung pangarap niya na ‘yung anak niya, ako ‘yun (ang magtutuloy), so sobrang tinutukan niya ako,” said Andrei.
“Dinala niya ako sa Milo Best Clinic, dinala niya ako sa Maynila sa mga tournaments, in-expose niya ako sa barangay (leagues) para ma-enhance pa ‘yung paglalaro ko,” he added.
“Ang unang MVP ko sa barangay (league),” he recalled with a smile.
The obedient son said as a kid, he already dreamt about making it to big leagues in the Big City, just so he could play in venues such as the historic Araneta Coliseum.
He first played on the hard court of the Big Dome in 2012 where he was part of the San Beda Red Cubs champion team. Three years later, he made an impressive debut for the Archers at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Noong bata pa lang ako dream ko na makalaro sa Araneta,” he said. “Ito na pala ‘yun makakalaro na ako, nakalaro na ako. Iba, iba ang feeling.”
“Ayun mabuti naman andito na ako natupad na ang mga pangarap niya pagbubutihin ko para sa kanya,” he concluded.
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