IT was hot and humid, but the more than fifty boys, some of them as young as eight years old, appeared to be unmindful of the weather as they go about doing the drills being taught by the coaches.
The place is the covered basketball court inside the Paraiso ng Batang Maynila located along Quirino Avenue in Manila and near Leveriza St. The drills form part of the free basketball camp and clinic organized by legendary coach and former basketball Olympian and PBA player Turo Valenzona, who grew up and learned to play the game of basketball in the very same place.
“Dito ako lumaki. Dito rin ako natuto ng iba’t-ibang sports, hindi lang basketball,” said Valenzona, in-between shouting instructions to the young kids doing the drills.
Valenzona, who is best remembered for steering the San Sebastian Stags to five championships, in the 90s, organized the free clinic as part of his desire to discover future basketball superstars. And from all indications, the clinic was a resounding sucesss, as the kids, watched intently by their parents, dutifully performed the drills, excitement evident on their faces.
The clinic itself had a “community feel” into it, as Valenzona’s former neighbors, kumpares and even his sons and other relatives were involved.
“Mga kaibigan ko yan, ito kumpare ko,” Valenzona said, as he pointed to a thin, elderly man who was assisting in the drills.
Coach Nap Garcia, an assistant coach of NCAA champinn Letran Knights and a friend of coach Turo, was also there to guide the young kids, who later engaged each other in a friendly game which was the highlight of the clinic.
In the end, as he surveys the scene before him, there was pride written all over the face of the man behind it all. Coach Turo Valenzona, with a lot of help from well-meaning friends, has fulfilled his heart’s desire, and the boys of Manila are the better for it.