Elite Lab trains young Ilonggo cagers, hopes to produce basketball stars

An inspiring line from Eugene Chua, team manager of Elite Lab Basketball Team, which is currently competing in the Basketball Tournament Open Category of the Mayor Jerry Treñas New Normal Sporting Event.

Comprised of 15 players aged 25 and below, Elite Lab houses former and current cagers from St. Robert’s International Academy (SRIA) and Western Institute and Technology (WIT), with John Guanco as their head coach.

Chua said they named the team Elite Lab because they are making elite players. The people behind are very passionate who love the ball and most especially, look to help young ballers.

When asked about the struggles in terms of training in the middle of the pandemic, Chua said they encounter many obstacles from forming the team to training them but they are all trying to balance and let them understand the situation.

“We have a lot of strengths and we need to improve slowly but surely. It will be a lesson to be learned and to be kept. We look forward to see each one of them play in Manila and probably in professional team someday,” he added.

For hotshot Zaldy Patizar, he said Elite lab as a team is like a family that grows together and works together. Their sacrifices in every day of practice are worth it.

“I am also thankful to all who supported the Elite Lab, especially to Coach John, Boss Eugene, Boss Layson, Jon Co and family. As a player, there are a lot of changes in this time of pandemic but I am thankful that step by step it goes back to normal and we can play and practice more,” he added.

Coach John was also happy that somehow, basketball is returning to action.

“Elite Lab is composed mostly of my players from WIT and St. Robert’s. First, medyo budlay kay ara kita sa pandemic so nag start lang kmi anay sa mga individual workout bali gin storya ko gid mga players ko nga kong gusto ta gid ma lab-ot handom ta dapat di gid ta mag pabaya sige lang dyapon bisan wala ka siguraduhan mag balik ang basketball,” he added.

Coach John also shared that during the pandemic, many of his players got depressed because they can’t play basketball for a long time.

“We’re very lucky gid kay gin suportahan kami sang bosses namon. Dako gid pasalamat ko sa mga taho nga ni kay nag pati gid sila sa amon and nakita nila sa amon nga ang mga bata determinado kag pursigido. Pati sa mga parents sang mga players ko nga despite daw ka delikado, nag risk gid sila,” Guanco said.

In addition, Kent John Parrenas said Elite Lab has always been like a family. All of them treat each other like brothers and not just as teammates. He believes that this is one of the advantages of Elite Lab because in basketball, team chemistry is the most important and the at the same time, the most difficult thing to achieve in a team.

“We are grateful enough having Coach John not just as a coach but also as a guardian not only focusing on our basketball skills but at the same time on our personal growth and our attitude. Elite Lab won’t be possible without our sponsors, Boss Jun Co from XYZ balikbayan box, Boss Jun Layson from Toto Tia Ten Trucking and Boss Eugene Chua from Kusina Tsina. We are very lucky gid nga gingaan nila kami sang opportunidad nga mahasa kag mapadayon ang amon nga mga handum. We won’t be Elite Lab without these people supporting us and making opportunities for us that’s why for me, Elite Lab is not just a team but instead, a family having the same dreams and goals,” he shared.

The team is heading towards what they want to achieve. In fact, they already made a threatening appearance in the opening game after defeating Biron Golez (Dumangas), 97-67 over the weekend.

Irele Galas provided the spark for the winning team after scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.

“We always practice them to have time management so that they wont be able to miss school with playing. And we always keep saying them that school is more important than playing. Playing the ball is just a bonus point, ” Chua disclosed.IMT Sports