It wasn’t long ago when SJ Moore was a talented baseball player.
The 6-foot-2 athletic winger had played the sport since grade two and had become skilled as a shortstop and pitcher.
However, in 2019, his father told him that there was no future for him in baseball in the Philippines. Moore’s father advised him to try basketball instead.
“Simula talaga nung bata like grade two, nag baseball ako. Yun talaga yung pinatuloy ko until grade nine, 2019,” said Moore.
“Tapos sinabi ng dad ko na itigil ko na kasi mahina daw future ko sa baseball. Kaya nag-try ako mag-basketball and nagustuhan ko naman.”
Despite starting late in basketball, Moore quickly became one of the most sought-after high school talents in the country. He finished the NCAA Season 98 Juniors Basketball Tournament with an average of 19.25 points, 7.26 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.
He also won the Most Outstanding Player award in the NBTC All-Star game, where he scored 19 points.
Moore’s talent and drive have impressed many, including the head coach of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, Pido Jarencio.
Jarencio believes that Moore’s improvement will be faster under his guidance.
“Yung improvement ni SJ magiging mas mabilis compared dun sa mga players na naglaro ng bata pa lang,” said the UST great. “2019 pa lang nagbasketball pero nag-MOP at sought after ng mga college teams. 2019,” said the legendary coach.
“E ‘di ibig sabihin yung improvement niya sobrang bilis.”
Jarencio also emphasized that Moore’s improvement would continue in college.
Besides being a Growling Tiger, Moore is open to also being part of Jeffrey Santiago’s Golden Sox and being a dual-sport athlete for UST.
“If kaya naman ng schedule, kaya naman ng katawan, why not? Try ko.”
