Aspiring cagers show up for ‘Nike Rise’

Former Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes briefs the participants in yesterday’s reality documentary basketball program “Nike Rise” at the Cebu City Sports Institute. (CDN PHOTO/JONAS PANERIO)

The gloomy weather that cast a pall over many parts of the country did not stop the locals from displaying Cebu’s brand of basketball as Nike’s first reality documentary basketball program “Nike Rise” stopped by the Queen City of the South yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Institute.

Headed by former Gilas head coach Chot Reyes and flanked by a crew of assistant coaches that included his brothers Mike and Billy, his son, Josh, former University of San Carlos assistant coach and now Far Eastern University lieutenant Ryan Betia, Paolo Gonzales, Gilbert Lao and Jonathan de Guzman, the Cebu tryouts saw 167 aspirants compete to earn a spot in the final 24 and a place in the House of Rise.

Reyes lamented the bad weather that prevented players from Bacolod and Iloilo from coming over to try out but appreciated the efforts of those that did.

“I heard na marami ang di nakatawid from Bacolod and Iloilo pero yung andito kanina I thought there were some diamonds in the rough,” shared Reyes.

“I won’t say that I’m surprised because I know exactly how Cebuanos play so it’s a matter of trying to figure out what pieces we can use from the Cebu tryouts, what pieces can be used for the team that we’re trying to form,” Reyes shared as he tries to form a formidable squad that will compete against an all-star collegiate team in the finale.

Nike Philippines country manager Patrick Reyes also liked what he saw from the Cebu leg and shared his thoughts on the Cebuano brand of play.

“I think what I saw is that the Cebuano players have a very distinct style of play which is very unique and very streetball, very good on the fastbreak. I would have loved more height to be honest but overall it’s a solid tryout. So far, I’m impressed,” the Nike official said.

After the Cebu leg, Nike Rise heads to Davao today for the final tryouts. The coaches and Nike brass will meet tomorrow to decide on who will eventually make the final cut. The final 24 will enjoy technical training, as well as strength and conditioning sessions supervised by Reyes and his assistant, PBA legend Jimmy Alapag. There will also be guest coaches and mentors as part of the six-week program.

“It’s important for the market that we’re trying to reach which are the kids who otherwise don’t have the opportunity. Yung mga nasa school, nasa big programs, they have a lot of opportunities but there’s a big segment of the basketball-playing public in the provinces that don’t have that opportunity so this is the vehicle that they can use,” said Chot Reyes of Rise’s thrust to uncover hidden gems and provide them with proper training.

Patrick Reyes also echoed Chot Reyes’ sentiments as he emphasized Rise’s significance to this corner of our basketball-crazy country.

“It’s extremely important. Nike Rise is a platform designed to discover and train the hidden gems in the country; those who don’t have access to formal training programs, the right equipment, that’s what we want to do with Rise. We’re hopeful that it gets a lot of support,” he explained.