Thirteen years after winning the UAAP Most Valuable Player plum, Marichu Bacaro came back to the hardcourt last December 12.
This time around, the now-35-year-old Bacaro – who is now a PE teacher in Parañaque High School – was part of the next generation of women’s basketball players. She took part in the Women’s National Basketball League’s first-ever Draft Combine.
Though having been away from the game for years, it was her dad that pushed her to return to the sport that she loves.
“’Yung parents ko… My daddy wants me to play again as well as my partner and my co-teachers, saying to return to the game,” Bacaro told Reuben Terrado of SPIN.ph.
“Na-excite naman po ako dahil passion ko ‘to para maka-inspire din.”
The 5-foot-2 guard out of Bacolod was definitely still in shape.
The University of Santo Tomas product had a vertical leap of 21-inches; clocked at 14.28-seconds in the lane agility; while logging in 3.38-seconds in the 3/4 court sprint. Most of all, she is still muscular.
And on Saturday, she hopes that that is enough for the drafting teams on Saturday to take a gamble on her.
After all, Bacaro hopes that she becomes part of history in the sport that she helped build.
“I’m feeling great because we have this chance and opportunity to play our passion. I’m so excited for the young ladies,” she expressed.
“Sa ibang players, dream nila ang mapasama rito. Magiging masaya at blessed ako na magkakaroon uli ng opportunity to play, and to inspire also the young athletes na ituloy nila ‘yung passion nila sa basketball.”
