The sons of a retired Philippine Basketball Association cager will continue pursuing their interests in collegiate basketball and have taken different paths to reach their goals.
Former Batang Gilas cager RC Calimag remains committed to play for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, which took him in last season.
With the start of Season 84 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament still on hold this year because of the pandemic, the 6’3" Calimag and his younger Richi have joined their parents in the United States to train.
The 20-year-old RC is now in Carson City, training with former La Salle Green Archer Mike Cortez and honing his skills in the guard position.
“Every week he does some college and pro runs to keep his timing. To be honest, he’s getting some college offers from Division 2 schools here, but he keeps on saying he’s committed back home,” said the elder Ricky, who played for franchise teams in the PBA before retiring.
There were offers for RC to take a student-athlete scholarship in Long Beach, but this was turned down because of his current status with the Fighting Maroons.
RC was among the key players, who helped LSGH make it to the finals in the National Collegiate Athletics Association Season 94, and into the Final Four in Season 95.
“RC Calimag is already committed to play for UP,” said Maroons' coach Bo Perasol.
On the other hand, the 17-year-old Richi won’t be going back to study and play for La Salle Greenhills anymore.
That’s because the junior division won’t be featured in the coming season of the NCAA, which recently restarted the 96th season with senior division events.
Organizers of the NCAA have decided not to hold junior division competitions in the last two years in order to cope with the restrictions set to control the spread of the COVID-19.
Calimag said the 6’4" Richi is now enrolled and undergoing residency at the Diamond Bar High School in California.
“He’s playing for Diamond Bar HS until next year. He’s playing good and consistent on his stint, but they fell short on the playoffs,” said Calimag.
The elder Calimag added that both RC and Richi are spending summer doing skills' training.
There are also offers for Richi to play in collegiate leagues in the US.
“He (Richi) has some offers, but we will wait until he graduates, his goal right now is to get better and improve in every aspect of his game," he said.