Batang Tiaong enters the 2024 Smart NBTC National Finals with a chip on its shoulder.
The kids from Quezon are determined to prove that last year’s quarterfinals finish was no fluke.
But there’s one Quezonian playing for more.
Young John Rex Villanueva wants to prove he belongs.
Standing at just 5-foot-7, the 17-year-old Grade 11 hooper from Claro M. Recto Memorial High School knows he faces challenges in recruitment.
That’s why he lets his game do the talking for him.
“Gusto ko lang po patunayan na yung mga taga-probinsya, kaya pong makipagsabayan sa mga nasa malalaking liga,” said Villanueva.
“Para sa akin, kahit yung iba sinasabi na maliit ako, gusto kong patunayan kaya kong makapag-contribute sa kahit anong team.”
Last year, Villanueva showed he’s one of the country’s best young shooters by winning the NBTC Three-Point Shootout.
(C) NBTC
During the regional championships, Villanueva led Batang Tiaong to the South Luzon championship.
In the national finals, he scored 23 points on eight treys against PPG Tarlac in the Supreme 16.
Now, Batang Tiaong is in the Fearless Four. On Friday evening, they will face the imposing Fil-Am Nation.
Entering the matchup, the kids from Tiaong are confident they can topple the tournament favorites.
“Sobrang saya ko po now kasi naging part ng team ng Batang Tiaong. Ang laking opportunity din nito para sa mga ka-probinsya ko na makasali sa malaking liga tulad ng NBTC,” he said.
More importantly, Villanueva hopes to get noticed by schools in Manila.
“Sa ngayon po, gusto ko po makapaglaro sa UAAP or NCAA at, ultimately, sa national team natin.”
