If you ask Jam Lachica, a 12-year-old avid basketball player, how she ended up being selected among 800 players during the Jr. NBA Philippines, she will tell you right away that it was because of her coaches, including her dad Jaylord and school coach Joseph Rizos.
Lachica was always influenced by her father’s interests, including basketball, which led to her developing love for the sport. Since the age of six, she would tag along with her father’s barangay leagues and closely observe the game.
“Lagi akong sinasama ni papa sa mga laro niya, kaya ginusto ko na rin matutunan yung basketball (Papa always brings me to his games that’s why I became interested in learning basketball),” related Lachica.
Fast forward to 2016, Lachica first joined the Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camp wherein she competed with several skilled female players her own age. However, she missed her chance to progress to the camp’s second day after she left to support her dad’s championship game in Quezon City.
But just like a true champion, she got back up and tried again in 2017. Knowing that she had been chosen on her first try, the shooting guard had a little more confidence. But unfortunately, she failed to make the cut.
“Ginawa ko naman yung best ko para makuha ako ulit kaso madaming ibang magagaling (I did my best to be picked but unfortunately there were a lot better),” lamented Lachica.
The budding athlete admitted to feeling disappointed and revealed that she, in fact, did not consider joining this year’s camp. However, her dad didn’t lose faith and, together with coach Rizos, encouraged her to join again. Surprisingly, 2018 seemed to be Lachica’s lucky year—with the help of AXA, the official insurance partner of the NBA in the Philippines, she had the support she needed to succeed.
Lachica was selected as one of the 16 girls that would represent Metro Manila and compete with peers from the provinces at the National Training Camp. All the hard work and long training hours were worth it.
“Sobrang saya at thankful ako na may na-meet akong coach na nag-motivate sa akin to do my best. Buti nalang nandiyan si papa para bigyan ako ng pag-asa (I am extremely happy and grateful that I have met a coach who motivated me to do my best. I’m glad papa is there to give me hope),” she enthused.
