By MARK REY MONTEJO
BATANGAS CITY – The searing heat was hardly felt as kids from the South appeared ready and inspired to dream big.
Fully aware of their dreams and hopes, MILO Philippines has officially opened another door for young aspiring athletes, this time, with the staging of the Inter Sitio Summer League here at Alangilan Covered Court last weekend.
MILO Sports head Carlo Sampan, along with Abbie Dictado, head of regional sales and marketing for southwest Luzon, emphasized that part of their objective is inclusivity in sports, especially for girls and boys in basketball and volleyball, respectively.
“We want to promote inclusivity in sports. Kaya, we want to encourage more girls to enjoy or to experience basketball. “At the same time, sa volleyball diba mas malaki ang fan base ng women sa volleyball pero nakikita natin growing narin ‘yong mga male sa volleyball,” Sampan said.
“So ‘yon yung mga dinadagdag natin sa mga liga, pero we want to learn from this program and then we’ll see [if madagdagan ng ibang sports ‘tong Barangay Liga” he added.
“We also approach those towns na alam natin na mas marami pa tayong bata na to develop,” Dictado added.
The basketball tournament has three categories – midget, juniors and seniors – with seven sitios competing in the two-month long season. It also has seven teams in the mixed volleyball.
The MILO Summer League started in 2017 and for this year it will cater more than 300 barangays all across the country as it gives the youth an opportunity to display and hone their talents.
Sampan is looking at increasing the numbers of participating barangays and also the type of sports league.
MILO BEST’s prospects: To change his family’s life; to become a woman who someday will bring glory for the country
Two of the MILO BEST’s prospects in Third Kerby Aggabao and Chloe Cherish Cheng graced the event where they imparted to locals their knowledge and learnings – the duo also shared their stories why they opted to choose basketball as their sport.
Aggabao, who is an avid fan of NBA superstar Steph Curry, stressed that he wants to become a professional player so he can help his family to change their current socioeconomic status.
“Gusto ko pong ituloy-tuloy ‘to para po maiahon ko po ang pamilya ko sa hirap,” Aggabao stressed.
The 12-year-old cager from Sucat, Parañaque played since he was 5 and went viral on the internet where he imitates Curry’s iconic celebration “Night-Night” in his videos.
“Tuloy-tuloy lang sila wag silang titigil, kung ito ‘yong pangarap nila. Laban lang sa buhay,” he added.
Just like Aggabao, Cheng, 12, learned basketball basics from his dad Buj three years ago, and her dream is to become like Gilas women’s national team member and MILO BEST Center graduate Ella Fajardo, who brought glory for the country.
“I want to represent the country and bring home the gold and I want to make everyone proud,” Cheng said.
“I think women’s basketball is growing po and gusto ko pong maging part ng development,” she added.
The proud daughter of Bahm and a Grade 6 student from Imus, Cavite wanted to be a medical doctor in the future as well, but if things won’t work the way she wanted, Cheng will keep up to her basketball hopes.
“In case I won’t make it as a doctor I wanted to continue my basketball journey po,” she added.
