In NGBL, rising sons find starting point in journey to retrace dad’s paths
A new generation of young basketball hopefuls is finding its way to the spotlight through a new league, hoping to retrace the paths their fathers—and their hoop idols—took.
Among the youngsters currently seeing action in the Next Generation Basketball League (NGBL), a tournament for young high schoolers, is Ziv Espinas of Ateneo, the son of former pro Gabby Espinas, a six-time champion and former PBA All-Star.
Gabby also shone in college, winning the top rookie and MVP awards while suiting up for Philippine Christian U, but his credentials don’t faze Ziv.
“There’s no pressure to create a name for myself,” the 6-foot-3 Ziv said after his best game in the NGBL in front of his dad, putting up 15 points, four rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block in a slim defeat against the University of the East last Saturday.
“If possible, I would want to be better [than Gabby] when I am in college.”
Perhaps one thing that makes it easy to move away from living up to the Espinas name is the fact that Ziv plays differently from his dad, a mobile big man who could spread the defense with perimeter shots. Even if Ziv lists among his idols San Miguel Beer star June Mar Fajardo, the 16-year-old Grade 10 student is more comfortable in the perimeter.
“When I get to college, I won’t be a big. I’ll be a wing or a guard,” Ziv said, adding that he is working on his game to make sure that he will fit his targeted position in college.
”I’m not rushing my career,” he said. “But whatever the Lord gives me and whatever my dad teaches me, I’ll never take for granted. In practices, I always go hard so that my skills will improve.”
Seven others
Aside from Espinas, there are seven other youth standouts in the NGBL who are also sons of former PBA players.
Mapua University’s Carl Albert Rodriguez is the son of former Rain or Shine big man Larry Rodriguez. Carl’s teammate, Dwayne James Miranda, is the son of former Petron and FEU star Denok Miranda.
Two Far Eastern U-Diliman standouts also have ex-PBA players as fathers Tash Maierhofer’s dad is former La Salle and Magnolia defender Rico Maierhofer while Liam Salangsang is the son for ex-Rain or Shine forward Allan Salangsang.
Perpetual’s rising 6-foot-7 big man Lebron Jhames Daep is the son of former Purefoods and San Sebastian daredevil Rommel Daep while Ram Sharma of La SAlle is the son for former Red Bull center Carlo Sharma, who also played college ball for La Salle. Mots Matias of National University-Nazareth School is the son of another former Rain or Shine player Ronnie Matias.
One path that Ziv wants to share with his father is a PBA career, proof that the pro league, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in April next year, remains as a goal for the finest young talents in the country despite the trend of playing overseas.
”The overseas [leagues], it’s a huge exposure and some of my idols, like Rhenz Abando, are there,” Ziv said. “But of course, I grew up watching my dad play in the PBA. So if ever I get the chance, I would like to play in the PBA, too.”
For now, though, Ziv and his fellow ex-pro sons will sharpen their skills in the NGBL, where future basketball stars have their own platform to showcase their potential.
