They say in this day and age, a star can be born in an instant!
And that might just be the case with Gian Robert J. Mamuyac, a 17-year-old from Ateneo De Manila University, whose video, blocking the three-point attempt of the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry in an exhibition game in Taiwan a week ago during the Under Armour Asia Camp 2016, went viral.
If you’ve followed the NBA religiously, you would have seen numerous exceptionally talented players, All-Stars even, try to contain and block Curry’s attempt from beyond the arc, with no success! So, when it looked so effortless for Gian, the entire basketball world took notice!
Yes, it was only one play. Yes, it was only an exhibition game. But it still was a feat that would long be remembered.
And for the young Mamuyac, who took to the game at the age of seven, a play like this would thrust him in the limelight and possibly open doors for even greater things in the near future.
The challenge now is for him to continue to work hard, and take advantage of these opportunities, to be able to reach all his goals in the sport.
THE PHILIPPINE STAR: Why is it basketball for you?
GIAN ROBERT MAMUYAC: At first, I tried out for the varsity team just for fun, but then I learned that there’s more to it than just shooting the ball through the hoop, that it comes with values that will not only help you win games but also succeed in life, I knew this was the sport I wanted.
How excited were you when you were chosen to travel to meet Stephen Curry?
I was really, really excited, especially when I found out that I was going with Juan Gomez De Liano because we were teammates before at the Fiba Asia 16 Under. Not everyone will be given the chance to share the court with Steph so I was really, really looking forward to it. I can’t thank Under Armour enough for this opportunity.
Talk about the play that has gone viral, take us through it.
So, he got the ball with eight seconds left, then I picked him up near the free throw line of the back court, then brought down the ball to two steps after half court (which is his normal range), dribbled the ball behind his back thrice, then stepped back. During that moment, I was really scared because I thought I was going to be one of those players who would go viral because Steph Curry crossed me up, but then, thank God, the other way happened!
Did he say anything to you after you blocked his shot? The crowd went wild as I saw in the video.
He didn’t say much, but it was very, very inspiring to have played with him, because he taught me the most important lesson for athletes to compete.
You’re now an instant celebrity after the block, do people ask you about it all the time now?
When I went to school this morning (Thursday, Sept 8), a lot of people approached me and asked how I did it. Hahaha! There was really no secret as to how I did it because it was just pure instinct! And luck I guess! Hahaha!
What are your goals in the sport?
My short-term goal is to make it to the team A of Ateneo... But my end goal is to to be able to reach the PBA!
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