Away from family on Holy Week, Santillan gears up for 2019 FIBA World Tour Masters Doha

Cebuano forward Leonard Santillan is making the ultimate sacrifice: being away from his family during Holy Week. / CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebuano forward Leonard Santillan is not new to making sacrifices for flag and country, having already played for the Batang Gilas national youth team a few years ago.

However, the 6-foot-4 forward admitted that not being with his family during the Holy Week is especially tough but sacrifices need to be made as his 1Bataan Risers squad represents the country in the 2019 FIBA World Tour Masters Doha on April 18 and 19, 2019 in Qatar.

Santillan said this marks the very first time that he would not be with his family during this solemn time of the year.

“Oo. First time. Ganun talaga kasi sakripisyo para sa pamilya at para sa bayan. Sakripisyo talaga,” Santillan shared.

(Yes. This is the first time that I will be away from my family. It has to be done. This is sacrifice for family and country.)

“Malungkot pero naintindihan naman nila e. Sinabihan ko naman sila na hindi para akin lang ito. Para sa kanila naman ito e,” the former University of the Visayas Green Lancer added.

“It’s lonely but they understand. I told them that this is just not for myself. This is also for them.)

With the competition just a few days away, Santillan conceded that he is nervous but clarified that this does not mean that he is scared of the top-notch teams that await the Risers and the other Philippines team in this competition, the Pasig Grindhouse Kings.

“Nandun naman yung kaba. Kumbaga malalakas kalaban namin, kita naman sa viewing session namin kanina. Pero excited din kasi papakita namin sa mundo na ready na ang Pilipinas sa World Tour,” Santillan said.

(I am nervous. Our opponents are strong. It is evident during the viewing session. But I am also excited because we can show the world that the Philippines is ready for the World Tour.)

Santillan added that he and the rest of his teammates are ready to bang with the best of them in what is expected to be a highly-physical affair.

“Tumatak talaga sa akin yung sinabi ni Angelo (Tsagarakis). Yung physicality talaga. Kung matalo ka sa physicality, kung tumiklop ka, talo ka e. Kailangan lumaban ka,” he said.

(What Angelo (Tsagarakis) said made a mark on me. It is really physicality. If you fail in physicality, if you fold, you loose. You have to fight.) / celr