PBA stars grace PLDT 3x3 joust, training camp

MANILA, Philippines – Basketball stars Gryann Mendoza and Poy Erram relished the opportunity to give back to the youth and teach their skills during the PLDT Fiber Fastbreak 3x3 event last Saturday, May 11. 

Mendoza, a three-a-side basketball standout for the TNT Triple Giga, and TNT Tropang Giga’s Erram, joined former PBA stalwarts Rico Maierhofer, Ryan Arana, Cyrus Baguio and Jerwin Gaco in the event held at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong.

Here, a basketball camp was held with a dozen kids participating. There was also a 3x3 tourney during the event. 

In an interview, Erram said that while it may seem like a small thing, having the opportunity to guide the next generation is really a big deal.
 
“Who knows, maybe one of these kids might go to the NBA or play for Gilas Pilipinas. This is a small thing, giving back to the kids, but for them, it is a big thing,” he told reporters in Filipino.

“From my experience, I already experienced a lot as a basketball player. What I reached was already high. And now, I get to share what I know so they can have a blueprint,” he added.

For his part, Mendoza said that he is grateful for the opportunity to share his learnings and experiences especially in playing 3x3.

“I was able to teach them what I know from experiences, and these are being applied,” he said. 

“[The kids] are determined to learn, they are really listening to the coaches and the passion in playing basketball is really there even though they are still young.”
 
During the camp led by Coach Eric Altamirano, the ballers were guided by the players in doing drills focused on the basics.

The drills included dribbling, passing, running and shooting. 

Erram stressed the importance of honing the fundamentals as early as possible. 

“Having the basic skills, wherever you may go, professional or international, that is the most important. If you are having a hard time with the coach’s system, you always go back to the basics,” he said. 

“That is the foundation of basketball. You don’t just have a crossover dribble all of a sudden without basic dribbling. The core is what you will go back to.”