“It is my dream to play in Manila. But most importantly, I want to go there not just for basketball but also for education because education is very important to me, it is a privilege for me to study in a prestigious school in Manila while discovering my basketball prowess.”

This was the message of 20-year-old Ilonggo cager Kent John Fernandez Parreñas following his inclusion to a team in Manila that competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Fondly called as “MJ”, the native of Pototan, Iloilo is a star player of Western Institute of Technology (WIT) who recently won second place in the Iloilo Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Meet. De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde draws interest to recruit the Ilonggo hotshot to be part of their growing team, along with other six players from the Elite Lab Basketball Management.

Playing for St. Roberts International Academy (SRIA) Panda Rockets under coach John Guanco during his school days, MJ started playing basketball at the age of 11.

“During my early childhood, my parents noticed that I am a very active child. They introduced me first at the age of 9 years old in the field of football. And at the age of 11 years old, I shifted to basketball without any basic skills, just my speed and being athletic. In 2014, I tried to participate in the tryout of St. Roberts International Academy under Coach John Guanco and that it all started. I started from nothing under him but he patiently taught me the basic skills in basketball,” shared Parreñas.

MJ’s childhood is the same with everyone. He just love playing with his playmates in school. Before basketball he was into football. “I got personal training In Barotac Nuevo with coach Mike. I remembered going together with my parents Saturday and Sunday Barotac for my training.”

When asked why he chose basketball, he said basketball is the most popular sport and his passion with ball started even when he was 2 years old. “I even saw old pictures of mine holding a ball. Why Basketball? Because I really love this game and I can see my success in the future.

Same with other successful athletes, MJ also struggled at first, especially in balancing school and the sport he loves. “Everything depends on my perseverance, dedication, time management and hard work. If you love the sport, go for it, but remember to prioritize your study also.”

But after he caught the attention of local scouters, MJ gains added confidence and gives all his best in every game. The sport also helped him in school, especially in financial aid.

“In any sports, being an athlete, especially if you are a member of a varsity team, is a big big help. It lessens the burden of my parents in paying my tuition fees because I got scholarships. My self-discipline inside and outside the court was also developed as you have to wake up at 4am to practice and proceed to class at 8am,” he shared.

Before making a name in the local scene, MJ also starred in various tournaments. In fact, he was awarded as Best Point Guard and belonged to Mythical team when they won the Chairman’s Cup Under 21 in 2022. 

He was also part of the team which took home the championship title of the 2018 Regional Passarelle. After that, he became a member of the National Passarelle team. 

In 2019, they ranked first runner up in the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet’s Secondary 3×3 basketball. 

In 2016, he was selected as part of Region 6 in the Palarong Pambansa after they won the championship title in the WVRAA elementary boys basketball. 

Some of his notable feats included the 2105 Milo Little Olympics National Basketball Champion, 2015 Iloilo PRISAA Champion and 2015 ISSC Meet Champion.

MJ also told Iloilo Metropolitan Times that playing and representing your school is an honor, the will to win is there, the hunger is there and he considered commercial basketball as the same.

“It’s a different level of basketball when you’re in Manila, but I’m ready for that challenges. I have to earn my spot first to play ang to be a member of the regular team, it’s a very tight competition, but I’m always positive as long as I put everything into work.”

For MJ, he considers playing in Manila as a dream come true and an opportunity to expand his connections.

“I am looking forward for a bigger future. Coach John always tells me, every person has a potential in every aspect of life. Just do your very best in every game and most importantly during practice and everything will put in a proper place together with prayers. Everything is nothing without God. I will do my best. I am a point guard, I can lead my team and I can help them through what I’ve learned here in Iloilo and from my coach,” MJ assured.

The Ilonggo cager who gets his motivation from his family and friends also advised young aspiring cagers to never give up.

“To all athletes like me, just dream big and never give up on your dreams, work hard, love your sports and most especially put God first. I’m so lucky to have supportive parents who never fail to watch and support me in every game, win or loss. Even how talented you are if you don’t have a supportive parents it’s a 50/50 achieving your goals in life. To my friends and teammates who always been there and have a trust in me, thank you so much,” he said.

“To my SRIA Family and WIT, especially to Ma’am Pador, thank you. And to all the people who supported us, Nanay Susita Guanco and Manong Cris Guanco who take care of us, Boss Eugene Chua, Boss Jun Layson, Roy G. Tan, Manang Moi Moi and Layson Family, XYZ Boss Jon Co, thank you so much, may you help more athletes like me attain their dream in the future. Thank you also to SRIA’s Bob and Majesty Galindez for allowing us to grow and expand my horizon,” MJ added.

Every player has a mentor who guides him in every step of the way. The reason why MJ is giving his full trust to his long time coach. “To coach John Guanco, my second father for almost a decade, I started from 0 but because of you, there’s a blessing and a big opportunity coming. Everything is nothing without you, coach John. Thank you so much.”

Like everybody else, MJ, being a basketball player, dreams to play in bigger tournaments. And now that he’s an inch closer to his dream, he wants to bring his ace game, to inspire people and to make his family proud.IMT Sports