PATTAYA, Thailand – Former Rain or Shine physical therapist Ethan Casares is vying for a gold medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games as a member of the men’s handball team that began play on Monday at the Indoor Athletics Stadium.
The 27-year-old worked as the physical therapist of the Elasto Painters for two years in the PBA and is a recreational basketball player. His background in handball dates back to his days as a student at University of the Philippines-Manila.
“Around 10 years ago, ininvite ako ng isang professor ko sa UP to try handball not knowing na papasukin ko pala national team. But shortly after, probably two to three weeks, umalis ako kasi hindi um-okay grades ko,” said Casares.
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Curiously, it was someone in the PBA that got him back to handball.
“I was invited by [San Miguel assistant] coach Dayong Mendoza to try handball again. Ininvite kaming dalawa ni Geron Lontoc (3x3 player) na bumalik sa team. At the same time, may na-meet ako sa isang pickleball game before who is also inviting me back. I took it a signed na bumalik ako.
"So I came back. Back to zero talaga, 10 years na rin,” said Casares.
At 6-foot-4 with a stocky built, Casares looks built for the handball game. His familiarity with basketball also helps since the two sports have stark similarities.
“Parang may mga times na nag-seset ako ng high screen. Those are the things na more familiar sa basketball. Nagagamit rin namin ‘yung size namin sa basketball. We also use it and take advantage and create space for them.”
“Sa handball, may six-meter line. Kaming mga pivots, we play around that area. Ang role namin is to get position and create space and play with space, get our advantage at the line.
"Bawal na kasing humawak sa amin (inside the line), that’s like a free shot in the sense. But going there, struggle kasi mas physical ‘yung defense. Mas physical ‘yung handball kasi there are more things that are allowed. Mas maraming naga-grapple dito, sa basketball foul agad,” said Casares.
After leaving Rain or Shine, Casares remains as a physical therapist by profession, and is still in contact with a couple of Elasto Painters players including Keith Datu, who recently went down with a season-ending injury.
But for the next couple of days, Casares is an athlete first. Their campaign started with a close 27-25 loss to defending champion Vietnam, but they're far from disheartened in their bid to give the Philippines its first handball medal in the SEA Games.
“Coming into this, hindi rin kami sobrang nag-expect na aabot sa punto na ganito. Feeling ko kinabahan sila (Vietnam) nang konti. Ang maganda kasi na nakadikit kami and to perform the way we did today, laking bagay din, natuwa kami lahat.
“Kasi to consider ‘yung kalaban namin, they were champions before sa SEA Games, kami debut namin ito. Sinasabi ko sa teammates ko kanina na, ‘Wag mong isipin na first seed versus last seed."
The well-fought result against Vietnam has raised the team's confidence.
“Imagine mo na puwede natin gulatin yung mundo. With this, how close it is, I think with people knowing kasi proven na ‘tong Vietnam, I think ito ay magiging way rin to show that we are not a team that is a pushover.
"Kailangan nilang paghandaan din kami. Lalaban kami at lalaban. Doon ako natutuwa for our team.”
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