More Than Just Hoops (MTJH) concluded a FIBA-endorsed 3×3 tournament Saturday, November 12 at the Vista Real Classica Clubhouse in Quezon City.
Dubbed as “1st Run,” the tourney featured campers of MTJH and other basketball training groups which fielded in teams for 12U (Players aged 12 and below), 14U, and 16U. The FIBA-supported activity saw young men and women play the game with grit, heart, and respect for both teammates and opponents. Every participant gained new friends, an extended family on and off court, reflecting the idea that MTJH is, pun intended, more than just hoops.
UP Fighting Maroons Assistant Coach and MTJH/1st Run Program Director Sebastian ‘Potit’ De Vera has been backing grassroots basketball in the Philippines for quite some time. Mentoring kids from MTJH eventually led him into giving the campers the opportunity to play in an organized tournament endorsed by FIBA and sponsored by the Spalding brand no less.
De Vera said, “My heart has always been for the kids, the players in every level. Basketball is a powerful medium to influence kids especially in the grassroots level. I recognize and use the power of a basketball coach in planting godly seeds in kids and developing great basketball in the process.”
For the 1st Run, he added, “I wanted to have a sort of ‘family day basketball event.’ The 3×3 tournament provides such aspiration and getting endorsed by FIBA 3×3 solidifies the credibility of More Than Just Hoops. [Meanwhile], Spalding has always been a frontrunner in basketball excellence. Partnering with the best basketball brands in the world was a no brainer. Quality begets quality.”
Grassroots basketball gains traction in PH
FIBA has championed grassroots basketball all over the world and MTJH’s 1st Run is a welcome addition to the fold. “FIBA is also in the business of developing basketball and creating opportunities like the 3×3 to reach out to grassroots level. Like minded groups should work together to bring the best to basketball-loving people,” noted De Vera.
Grassroots basketball is one of the few industries that bounced back quickly after the pandemic. De Vera encourages parents wanting to engage their children with basketball training programs to take time to look on every program and see its worth. “I sincerely hope that [all the basketball programs are here] to truly develop the grassroot levels and not exploit [the children]. Most forget that these are kids/children first, basketball players second. [The goal] should always be to develop and not to exploit.”
Recent years saw the rise of pay-for-play basketball in the Philippines. De Vera, who thinks as a father first before a basketball coach to his campers, said, “The phrase ‘pay for play’ already connotes exploitation and not development. I hope these clubs, teams, and coaches should go above and beyond just playing. It’s their responsibility as authoritative figures in the sport. It should not be about ‘give them what they want’ but rather ‘provide then what they need.’ And by them, I’m talking about the kids and their parents.”
To inquire on MTJH training program, visit its official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MoreThanJustHoops.